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Hiotographic 

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^ 


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re 


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et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'imagAs  n^cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  m6thode. 


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ne  pelure, 

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1  2  3 


32X 


1 

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4 

5 

6 

THE  DARK  SECRET 


pS 


l;3. 


BY 


Mrs.  may  AGNES  FJ.EMING 

i AUTHOR  OF   "MAGDALEN'S   VOW,"    "THE   QUEEN    OF  THE   ISLE,"   "THE 

HEIRESS   OF  CASTLE   CLIFF,"    "THE    RIVAL   BROTHERS,"    "THE 

GYPSY  queen's  vow,"  "THE  MIDNIGHT  QUEEN,"    ETC. 


I  ;•■ 


NEW  YORK 

THE  FKDBRAI.  BOOK   COMPANY 

PUBLISHERS 


OOFTBIOHT,  187S, 

BEADLE  &  ADAMa 


CONTENTS. 


OBAPTBR  PAOB 

I.  The  Mermaid 5 

II.  The  Lone  House 20 

III.  An  Escape 31 

IV.  Fontelle 41 

V.  Jack  De  Vere 51 

VI.  The  Secret 60 

VII.  The  Midnight  Music 70 

VIII.  The  Vendetta 80 

IX.  Jacinto 90 

X.  A  Mystery 105 

XI.  Captain  Disbrowe  makes  a  Discovery 119 

XII.  A  Strange  Meeting 131 

XIII.  Unmasked 146 

XIV.  Pride  and  Passion 156 

XV.  A  Queen  Uncrowned , 175 

XVI.  The  Story  in  the  Lone  Inn 191 

XVII.  The  End  of  the  Story * 203 

XVIII.  A  Woman's  Nature 215 

XIX.  Little  Orrie 226 

XX.  A  Proud  Heart  Crushed 231 

XXI.  '«  He  Giveth  his  Beloved  Sleep," 243 

3 


^ 


4  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTBR  rAOS 

XXII.  The  Lonely  Grave 260 

XXIII.  Over  the  Sea 274 

XXIV.  Norma 284 

XXV.  OflF  with  the  Old  Love 298 

XXVI.  A  Secret  Sorrow 306 

XXVII.  Kesuraram 823 

XXVin.  The  Actress  and  the  Earl 881 

XXIX.  An  Old  Foe 342 

XXX.  "All  Things  hath  an  End." 861 


THE  DARK  SECRET- 


CHAPTER  I. 


THE  IIBBMAID. 


«*  Whoe'er  has  travel'd  life's  dull  round, 
Where'er  his  stages  may  have  been, 
May  sigh  to  think  he  still  has  found 
His  warmest  welcome  at  an  inn." 

Shenstone. 

The  time — late  in  the  evening  of  a  raw  April  day, 
many  a  year,  most  probably,  before  you  were  born,  my 
dear  sir  or  madam.  The  scene  a  long  bleak  stripe  of 
coast  on  the  Jersey  shore,  washed  by  the  bright  waters 
of  the  flowing  Hudson. 

A  low,  black,  rakish-looking  schooner,  with  a  sort  of 
suspicious  look  about  it,  strikingly  suggestive  to  nautical 
individuals  skilled  in  reading  the  expressive  countenances 
of  schooners  in  general  had  just  come  to  anchor  out  in 
the  river,  a  short  distance  from  the  shore  ;  and  a  boat,  a 
few  minutes  after,  had  p"  t  off  from  her,  and  landed  two 
persons,  who  sprung  lightly  out ;  while  two  more,  who 
had  rowed  them,  leaned  on  their  dripping  oars,  and  wait- 
ed, as  if  for  further  directions. 

«  You  can  go  back,  now.  I  don't  want  you  to  wait  for 
me.  I'll  stop  at  the  Mermaid  to-night.  If  I  want  you, 
you  know  the  signal ;  and  tell  Sharp  Bill  to  keep  an  un- 
common sharp  look-out.  Come,  my  little  Spanish  Jockey 
o'  Norfolk ;  put  your  best  leg  foremost,  hoist  all  sail,  and 
let's  bear  down  on  that  full-blown  craft.  Bob  Rowlie,  of 
the  Mermaid  inn." 

The  speaker  gave  his  companion  a  blow  on  the  back,  at 
this  passage  in  his  discourse,  that  sent  him  reeling,  as 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


well  it  might ;  and  then,  with  a  coarse  laugli,  sprung,  with 
more  agility  than  might  have  been  expected  from  his 
looks,  over  the  wet,  shingly,  slippery  beach,  toward  the 
high-road. 

lie  was  a  man  of  some  forty-five  or  fifty  years  of  age, 
short,  brawny  and  muscular,  thougli  not  stout,  with  an 
extremely  large  head,  set  on  an  extremely  short  neck, 
which  made  up  in  thickness  what  it  wanted  in  length. 
A  complexion  like  unvarnished  mahogany,  with  a  low, 
retreating  forehead ;  a  pair  of  sharp,  keen,  glittering, 
hawk-like  eyes,  gleaming  from  under  thick,  scowling 
brows ;  a  grim,  resolute  mouth,  expressive  of  the  most 
unflinching  do-or-die  determination,  made  up  a  face  that 
would  hardly  be  associated,  in  female  minds,  with  the 
id;;a  of  love  at  first  sight.  This  elegant  frontispiece  was 
rendered  still  further  attractive  by  a  i)erfect  forest  of  un- 
derbrush and  red  hair  generally ;  indeed,  there  was  more 
hair  about  his  countenance  than  there  seemed  any  real 
necessity  for;  and  his  tarpaulin  hat  crowned  a  head 
adorned  with  a  violent  mat  of  hair  of  the  same  striking 
color.  The  gentleman  was  dressed  in  an  easy,  off-hand 
style,  that  completely  set  at  defiance  all  established  civil- 
ized modes,  with  nothing  about  him,  save  his  sailor's  hat, 
to  betoken  he  was  a  seaman.  Yet  such  he  was,  and  a 
captain,  too:  Captain  Nicholas  Tempest,  commander  of 
tlie  Fly-by-Night,  at  your  service,  reader. 

A  greater  contrast  to  the  gentleman  just  described 
than  his  companion,  could  hardly  have  been  found,  search 
the  wide  world  over.  He  was  a  slender  lad,  of  not  more 
than  sixteen  or  seventeen  apparently,  with  a  face  that 
would  have  been  feminine  in  its  exquisite  beauty,  but  for 
the  extreme  darkness  of  the  complexion.  Every  feature 
was  perfect,  as  faultlessly  chiseled  as  if  modeled  alter 
some  antique  statue.  His  eyes  were  large,  black  and 
lustrous  as  diamonds;  his  short,  crisp,  curling  hair,  of 
jetty  blackness ;  while  his  complexion  was  darker  than 
that  of  a  Creole.  His  form  was  slight,  graceful  and  ele- 
gant ;  his  dress  odd,  picturesque,  and  foreign-looking,  and 
strikingly  becoming  to  the  dark,  rich  style  of  his  beauty. 
A  crimson  sash  was  knotted  carelessly  round  his  waist ; 
and  a  cap  of  the  same  color,  with  a  gold  band  and  tassel, 


THE  MERMAID. 


I 


and  a  single  black  plume,  was  set  jauntily  on  his  dark 
curls,  and  gave  him  altogether  the  look  of  a  handsome 
little  brigiuid,  just  dressed  for  the  sUige. 

The  burly  commander  of  the  Fly-by-Night  sprung 
fleetly  up  the  rocks,  followed  by  the  boy,  until  they  left 
the  l)each,  and  struck  out  on  the  straggling,  unfreciucnted, 
lonely-looking  road,  with  only  one  house  in  sight,  as  far 
as  the  eye  could  reach,  and  that  one  a  low,  dingy-looking 
place,  with  a  l)lack,  smoky  chimney  leaning  pensively  to 
one  side,  and  two  vacant-eyed  windows,  that  stared 
straight  before  them  with  an  idiotic^  helpless-looking 
gape,  and  a  melancholy  old  door,  that  creaked  and  moaned 
dismally  whenever  it  was  touched.  Over  this  door  was 
a  flapping  sign,  with  an  uncomfortable-looking  female 
painted  on  it,  who  held  a  comb  in  one  hand,  and  a  small 
pocket  mirror  in  the  other,  intt  which  she  was  grazing 
with  an  expression  of  the  most  violent  astonishment,  evi- 
dently lost  in  wonder  as  to  how  on  earth  she  had  ever  got 
there — as  she  very  well  might,  mdeed ;  for  it  was  an  un- 
comfortable, not  to  say  distressing,  place  for  anyl)ody  to 
be,  much  less  a  mermaid.  A  striking  trait  about  this  lady 
was,  that  after  beginning  like  any  other  reasonable 
Christian,  she  suddenly  and  impetuously,  and  without 
the  smallest  provocation,  saw  lit  to  branch  off  into  a 
startling  tail,  which  turned  up  so  that  the  tip  stood  on  a 
level  with  her  head,  and  left  her  precisely  in  the  shape  of 
the  letter  U.  Under  this  extraordinary  female  was 
painted,  in  glaring,  yellow  capitals,  "  The  Mermaid  " ;  and 
there  was  a  popular  legend  extant,  to  the  effect  that  the 
picture  above  was  a  striking  likeness  of  one  of  those  fishy 
individuals  that  had  been  captured  by  a  former  proprietor 
of  the  inn,  while  she  was  combing  her  sea-green  tresses 
down  on  the  shore.  For  the  truth  of  the  narrative  I  am 
not,  however,  prepared  to  vouch  in  this  authentic  story, 
as  I  have  only  popular  tradition  for  it. 

Toward  this  inviting-looking  dwelling,  our  two  "  soli- 
tary travelers"  were  betaking  themselves,  at  a  leisurely 
pace,  each  seemingly  absorbed  in  his  own  thoughts. 
Captain  Nicholas  Tempest,  having  insinuated  about  half 
a  yard  of  twisted  tobacco  into  his  mouth,  was  discharging 
right  and  left,  with  that  benign  expression  of  countenance 


8 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


men  always  wear  when  chewing  tlie  weed ;  and  with  both 
hands  thrust  in  his  trousers  pockets,  he  marched  along 
with  an  independent  swagger,  that  said,  as  plainly  as 
words :  "  Tin  Captain  Nick  Tempest,  sir,  and  I  don't  caro 
a  curse  for  any  man !  "  Ilis  handsome  companion  kept 
by  his  side,  stepping  carefully  to  avoid  the  mud,  lest  it 
should  sully  tlie  shining  brightness  of  his  Spanish  leather 
boots,  and  smiling  slightly  as  he  caught  the  contemptuous 
glances  Captain  Tempest  cast  toward  him,  as  he  observed 
the  action.  And  thus,  one  chewing  tobacco  and  plowing 
his  way  straightforwardly  along,  in  free  and  easy  scorn 
of  nnid  and  dirt,  and  the  other  stepping  daintily,  and 
springing  over  holes  and  puddles,  they  marched  along  in 
silence  for  a  season. 

Captain  Nicholas  Tempest,  transferring  his  quid,  with 
an  adroit  roll  of  the  tongue  that  bespoke  long  and  ac- 
complished practice,  to  the  other  cheek,  and  having  dis- 
charged a  startling  Are  of  tobacco- juice,  gave  his  pant- 
aloons a  hoist  and  glancing  toward  his  companion,  at 
length  lifted  up  his  voice  and  spoke. 

"  Well,  my  little  shaver,  youVe  got  to  America,  at  last, 
you  see,  all  safe  in  wind  and  limb ;  though,  by  George,  we 
did  come  pretty  near  going  to  Davy's  locker  once  or  twice 
during  the  passage.  And  now  what  do  you  think  of  it, 
eh  ?  Hardly  equal  to  the  *  vine-clad  hills  of  sunny  Spain,* 
you  see,  my  lad.  Rather  a  dreary  and  desolate  prospect, 
just  at  present,  ain't  it  ?  " 

«  Yes,  somewhat  so,"  said  the  lad,  as  he  measured  in- 
tently with  his  eye  a  pool  of  water  in  his  path,  and  then 
leaped  lightly  over  it.  His  voice  was  soft  and  musical 
in  the  extreme,  and  was  rendered  still  more  so  by  his 
foreign  accent,  though  he  spoke  in  excellent  English. 

"  And  now  that  you've  got  here.  Master  Jacinto,  what 
do  you  mean  to  do  with  yourself,  if  it's  a  fair  question  ?  " 

"Perfectly  fair,  Captain  Tempest.  I  mean  to  take 
excrllent  care  of  myself,"  said  the  lad,  carelessly. 

"  Humph  !  you  do — do  you  ?  Boys  have  queer  notions 
about  taking  care  of  themselves.  I  suppose  your  next 
move  will  be  for  New  York  city." 

«  That  depends." 

«*  Depends  on  what  ?  " 


THE  MERMAID. 


"  "Wt'U,  on  a  good  many  things  generally,  and  on  ono 
thing  in  particular." 

"And  wliiit  is  that  ono  thing?  Don't  be  m  cursed 
Hocretive,  you  little  jackanape !  T  tell  you  what,  my 
young  cove,  you  had  better  keep  on  the  right  side  of  me; 
for  it  will  be  the  tallest  feather  in  your  cap,  if  you  have 
the  friendship  of  Captain  Nick  Tempest.     3Iind  that!" 

"  I  am  nuich  ol)liged  to  Captain  Nick  Tempest,  and 
would  not  otfend  him  for  any  earthly  consideration,"  said 
the  young  Sjjaniard,  in  a  t(»ne  of  i)rovoking  inditl'erenee, 
as  he  tightened  his  sash:  "but,  at  the  same  time,  he  must 
allow  me  to  decline  making  him  my  confidant^  more  es- 
l)ecially  as  it  is  totally  out  of  his  power  to  aid  me  in  the 
slightest  degree." 

Captain  Nick  Tempest  came  to  a  sudden  halt,  and  with 
his  hands  still  in  his  pockets,  faced  round  in  the  middle 
of  the  road,  his  swarthy  face  flushed,  and  his  brows  con- 
tracting with  rising  anger;  but,  as  his  eyes  fell  on  the 
slight,  boyish  form  of  the  other,  he  checked  himself,  and 
said,  in  a  tone  of  withering  scorn,  as  he  moved  on : 

"  Why,  what  an  independent  young  gentleman  we  have 
here,  so  self-cimscious  and  Avise  that  he  declines  all  help, 
and  is  going  to  begin  life  in  a  land  he  never  set  foot  in 
before,  on  the  principal  of  letting  every  tub  stand  on  its 
own  bottom.  If  you  were  a  dozen  years  older,  I  would 
twist  your  neck  for  you,  for  your  insolence.  A  Spaniard 
more  or  less  is  no  great  loss  in  the  world  ;  and  I  have  set- 
tled the  hash  of  many  a  better  man  than  you  will  ever  be 
for  less  than  that !  " 

"  I  have  not  the  slightest  doubt  of  it,  sir,"  said  the  lad, 
with  so  ready  an  acquiescence  as  to  sound  like  flattery, 
while  a  slight  and  almost  imperceptible  smile  broke  for 
an  instant  over  his  handsome  face. 

"  Oh,  you  hav'n't ! "  growled  Captain  Nick,  slightly 
mollified.  "  Well  then,  let  me  give  you  a  piece  of  friendly 
advice  :  don't  attempt  to  provoke  Captain  Tempest.  You 
had  a  passage  over  in  my  bark,  and  we've  broken  bread 
together,  and  been  good  friends  all  along,  and  I  don't 
know  but  what  I  kinder  liked  you :  but  still  I  tell  you, 
as  a  friend,  don't  provoke  me.  Master  Jacinto." 

"Really,  Captain  Tempest,  I  had  no  intention  of  of- 


W 


m 

I 

V 

Hi 


lO 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


fending  yon,  and  regret  exceedingly  having  done  so,"  said 
the  youth,  bowing  deprecatingly ;  "  but  the  fact  is,  I  could 
not,  if  I  would,  tell  you  my  plans  ;  for  I  do  not  know  my- 
self, having  formed  none  as  yet.  Most  likely  I  shall  do 
as  I  have  always  done — trust  to  luck,  and  let  to-morrow 
take  care  of  itself." 

"  A  mighty  profitable  maxim,  and  a  beautiful  way  of 
passing  through  life,"  said  the  captain,  with  a  sneer. 
"  Trust  to  luck,  indeed,  the  slippery  jade !  No,  sir,  I 
wouldn't  trust  her  the  length  of  my  nose,  and  that's  none 
of  the  longest  either." 

"  Providence,  then,  if  you  like  that  better.  Don't  you 
trust  in  Providence  ?  "  said  the  boy. 

"  Providence ! "  said  Captain  Nick,  jerking  out  his 
tobacco,  with  a  look  of  utter  contempt.  "  Paugh !  don't 
make  me  sick.  I  think  I  see  myself  trusting  in  Provi- 
dence !  No,  sir.  Since  I  was  knee-high  to  a  duck,  I've 
put  my  trust  ir  something  that  has  never  deceived  me 
yet,  and  never  will  while  one  timber  of  this  queer  craft 
of  a  world  hangs  together ;  and  I'd  advise  you,  my  little 
Spanish  friend,  to  do  the  same." 

"Indeed!  perhaps  I  may.  What  is  this  wonderful 
sheet-anchor  called  ? ' 

"Captain  Nick  Tempest,  sir,"  said  that  individual, 
drawing  himself  up,  and  fixing  his  flashing  eyes  on  his 
companion's  face.  "  I've  trusted  in  him,  sir  and  I'll  back 
him  against  luck  and  Providence,  and  all  the  other  sheet- 
anchors  in  the  world.  Luck !  ugh !  "  said  the  captain, 
with  a  look  of  disgust,  as  he  let  fly  a  last  volley  of  tobacco- 
juice. 

The  boy  would  have  smiled,  but  there  was  a  warning 
gleam  in  the  fierce  eyes  of  the  captain  thai  iorbade  it ;  so 
he  said  nothing,  and  again  they  walked  on  for  a  short 
distance  in  silence,  and  sulkiness  on  the  part  of  the  gal- 
lant commander  of  the  Fly-by- Night. 

"  Is  that  the  inn  we  are  to  stop  at  ?  "  at  length  inquired 
the  boy,  Jacinto. 

"  Yes."  said  the  captain  with  a  sullen  growl,  "  that's 
the  inn  I'm  to  stop  at.  I  don't  know  anything  about 
yours ;  and  what's  more,  I  don't  care.  You  may  go  where 
you  please.'* 


THE  MERMAID. 


II 


Again  that  slight  and  seemingly  irrepressible  smile 
flickered  for  a  moment  round  the  lad's  handsome  mouth ; 
but  it  was  gone  directly,  and  he  was  standing  with  his 
hand  in  the  captain's  arm,  and  his  dark,  bright  eyes  fixed 
on  his  gruff,  surly  face,  saying,  in  his  soft,  musical  ac- 
cents : 

« Come,  Captain  Tempest,  forget  and  forgive ;  it  is 
hardly  worth  your  while  to  be  angry  with  me.  We  have 
been  good  friends  since  the  day  we  left  merry  England 
until  this ;  and  as  there  is  no  telling  how  soon  we  may 
part  now,  it  will  never  do  to  quarrel  at  the  last  moment." 

"  Quarrel ! "  said  Captain  Nick,  contemptuously. 
« Quarrel  with  a  little  pinch  of  down  like  you !  Why, 
I'd  as  soon  quarrel  with  a  woman  I  Not  much  fear 
of  you  and  I  quarreling,  my  young  shaver  1 " 

"Well,  let  us  be  friends  then,  as  we  were  before. 
Come,  captahi,  shake  hands  on  it — if  I  spoke  impertinent- 
ly that  time,  I  am  sorry  for  it.     Will  that  do  ?  " 

He  held  out  his  hand — a  small,  fair,  delicate  hand,  that 
no  lady  need  have  been  ashamed  of — and  looked  up,  with  a 
pleading  face  that  was  quite  irresistible,  in  the  gruff  cap- 
tain's face.  Captain  Nick,  with  a  stifled  growl,  took  the 
boy's  hand  in  his  own  huge  digit,  and  gave  it  a  crushing 
shake. 

"  There  1  don't  come  it  over  me  with  your  soft- sawder, 
Master  Jacinto,  if  you  please,"  he  said,  as  if  half-angry 
with  himself  for  the  liking  he  could  not  help  feeling  for 
the  handsome  boy.  "  You've  got  a  sweet  tongue  of  your 
o^vn :  and  though  it  can  sting  pretty  sharply  at  times, 
you  are  always  ready  to  plaster  the  wound  over  again 
with  soiiie  of  that  same  honeyed-baisarn.  You  see,  you 
can't  take  mo  in,  my  lad.  You'll  have  to  cut  a  few  more 
of  your  eye-teeth  before  you  can  manage  that.  Here  we 
are  at  the  Mermaid,  and  there  she  swings  herself,  the 
same  picture  of  ugliness  she  has  always  been  since  I  first 
had  the  pleasure  of  her  acquaintance.  Wonder  if  old 
Rowlie  has  thought  proper  to  die  of  apoplexy  yet ! " 

As  he  spoke,  he  passed  through  the  low  doorway,  and 
entered  the  house,  closely  followed  by  Jacinto.  The  dorr 
opened  straight  into  the  bar-room — a  low,  dirty,  smoke- 
begrimed  place,  with  a  strong  odor  of  ardent  spirits  and 


12 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


'  i' 


sawdust  per'^^ading  it.  Numerous  casks  were  ranged 
round  the  walls ;  and  on  the  shelves  behind  the  counter 
were  arrayed  bottles,  decanters  and  glasses,  and  all  the 
other  paraphernalia  common  in  such  places.  Leaning 
over  the  counter,  with  his  back  to  the  door  and  busily 
engaged  in  turning  over  the  greasy  leaves  of  a  dirty  little 
account- book,  was  a  fat,  round-about  little  man,  with  a 
rosy  face,  indicative  of  an  unlimited  amount  of  solemn 
good-nature. 

"  I  say,  old  Bob  Kowlie  I  what  cheer,  my  hearty  ?  '* 
called  Captain  Nick,  giving  the  little  man  a  slap  in  the 
back  that  nearly  knocked  him  into  a  jelly.  "  Alive  and 
kicking  yet,  I  see !  What  a  precious  long  time  the  old 
boy  is  of  claiming  his  own,  to  be  sure  I " 

"  Captain  Nick  Tempest,"  said  the  little  man,  slowly, 
as  he  laid  down  his  pencil  and  book,  and  looked  solemnly 
in  the  face  of  his  boisterous  guest,  "  and  so  you've  come 
back  again,  have  you  ?  I  might  have  known  it  was  you, 
for  nobody  ever  knocks  the  breath  out  of  my  body  till 
you  come.  Who  is  this  ?  "  said  Mr.  Rowlie,  looking  with 
his  slow,  grave  gaze  toward  the  young  Spaniard,  who 
was  leaning  carelessly  against  the  door-post. 

"  Oh,  a  customer  I've  brought  you — a  young  chap  from 
beyond  the  seas,"  said  the  captain,  flinging  himself  into  a 
chair ;  "  come  in,  Jacinto,  and  make  yourself  at  home. 
How's  the  old  woman.  Bob  ?  " 

"Mrs.  Rowlie  is  per-fec'-ly  well,"  slowly  articulated 
Mr.  Rowlie,  taking  a  prolonged  look  at  Jacinto,  "  per-fec'- 
ly  well,  thanky.     Is  the  men  coming  up  to-night  ?  " 

"  Not  to-night.  I'm  going  to  swing  my  hammock  here 
myself  to-night  How's  trade  these  times,  old  buffer? 
Many  customers  at  the  Mermaid  ?  " 

"  Ye-es,"  said  Mr,  Rowlie,  deliberately,  "  ye-es,  some- 
times there  is ;  and  then,  again,  sometimes  there  ain't. 
Vessels  principally  bring  customers,  but  they  don't  stay 
long,  mostly  the  reverse.  Generally,  it's  quiet  here. 
Uncommon  so." 

"  Well,  it's  likely  to  be  brisk  enough  while  I  stay ;  my 
men  are  the  very  dickens  for  spending  their  money.  And 
now,  my  fat  friend,  just  let  me  have  something  to  eat 
— will  you?    I  feel  hungry  e'lough  to  eat  yourself,  bones 


f 


THE  MERMAID. 


n 


and  all,  if  you  were  properly  stuffed  and  roasted.     Come, 
hurry  up  I  " 

By  way  of  complying  with  this  request,  Mr.  Rowlie 
waddled  leisurely  to  a  door  at  the  other  end  of  the  room, 
and  opening  it,  he  called,  in  a  husky  falsetto ;  « Mrs. 
Rowlie-e-e ! " 

«  What  do  you  want  ?  "  called  a  brisk  voice  from  within, 
as  a  merry-looking  little  woman,  like  her  husband,  some- 
what of  the  dumpling  order,  came  to  the  door,  and  peeped 
out. 

"  Captain  Nick  Tempest  has  arrived,  and  wants  some 
food." 

"  Oh,  marcy  sake  !  Captain,  how  d'ye  do  ?  "  said  Mrs. 
Rowlie,  bustling  out,  and  holding  out  her  hand  to  the 
burly  captain.  "  How  unexpected  people  keep  a-turning 
up !     I'm  railly  glad  to  see  you.     I  railly  am,  now." 

"  Thankee,  Mrs.  Rowlie — thankee !  "  said  the  captain, 
as  he  sprung  up,  and  gave  the  bu^om  dame  a  rousing 
salute  on  the  cheek,  while  Mr  Rowlie  looked  on  in  solemn 
dismay, "  and  how  do  you  find  yourself,  old  lady  ?  Bloom- 
ing like  a  hollyhock,  as  usual  ?  " 

"Lor'  captain,  behave  yourself,  can't  ye?"  said  Mrs. 
Rowlie,  jerking  herself  iivvay,  and  wiping  the  offended 
cheek  mth  her  check  apron :  "  please  goodness,  you've  no 
more  manners  nor  a  pig.  Hey  I  who's  this  ?  Lor'  bless 
me !  where  did  this  uncommon  handsome  young  gentle- 
man come  from  ? "  she  exclaimed,  suddenly,  catching 
sight  of  Jacinto,  who  was  still  leaning  carelessly  against 
the  door. 

The  boy  doffed  his  cap  and  bowed  with  a  smile  to  the 
old  lady,  who  gazed  at  him  with  unconcealed  admiration. 

"  From  Spain,  Dame  Quickly,  if  you  ever  heard  of  such 
a  place,"  said  the  captain.  "  But  never  mind  his  beauty 
now,  while  there  is  more  important  matters  to  attend  to. 
Do  you  know  I've  had  nothing  to  eat  since  early  noon, 
and  now  it's  almost  night  ?  Come,  be  spry  I  I  hear 
something  fizzling  in  there,  and,  if  my  nasal  organ  does 
not  deceive  me,  something  good,  too.     What  is  it." 

"  Stewed  rabbit,"  said  the  old  lady,  whisking  the  dust 
off  a  chair  ^.^th  her  apron,  and  bringing  it  over  to  Jacinto. 
**Do  sit  down,  sir,  and  make  yourself  comfortable.     Yes, 


14 


THE  DARK  vSKCRET. 


Captain  Nick,  yes ;  everything  will  be  ready  directly. 
Lor'  bless  me !  how  excessive  handsome  that  young  gent 
is,  to  be  sure ! "  said  Mrs.  Rowlie,  sotto  voce,  as  she  hurried 
into  the  inner  room. 

"  Yes,  that's  womankind,  all  over,"  said  Captain  Tem- 
pest, bitterly.  "  Let  them  see  a  handsome  face,  and  old  loves 
and  old  fnendships  are  alike  forgotten.  Curse  them  all ! 
every  mother's  daughter  of  them,  I  say  I  Old  and  young, 
rich  and  poor,  they  are  all  alike.  Even  this  old  fool,  now, 
the  moment  she  sees  the  handsome  face  of  this  young 
Spaniard,  she  is  ready  to  forget  and  neglect  me — me  who 
has  done  more  for  her  than  he  ever  will  or  can  do  in  his 
life.  And  these  are  the  things  that  men  love — that  men 
every  day  stoop  to  love,  and  make  fools  of  themselves 
for.  Talk  of  cherishing  vipers — there  never  was  born  a 
woman  yet  who  would  not  be  a  viper  if  she  had  it  in  her 
power ! " 

It  was  evidently  some  inward  feeling,  in  which  good 
little  Mrs.  Rowlie  had  no  share,  that  sent  Captain  Nick 
Tempest  so  excitedly  from  his  seat,  and  caused  him  to 
pace  with  such  an  angry,  ringing  tread  up  and  down  the 
little  room,  his  face  full  of  such  furious,  repressed  passion. 
Mr.  Rowlie  gazed  at  him,  for  a  moment,  in  stolid  sur- 
prise, and  then  busied  himself  in  filling  a  black,  stumpy 
pipe  with  tobacco  ;  and  Jacinto,  sitting  toying  with  a  little, 
gray  kitten,  cast  furtive  glances  at  him  from  under  his 
long  eyelashes. 

« Smoke  ? "  said  Mr.  Rowlie,  sententiously,  holding 
out  the  black,  stumpy  pipe  to  Jacinto. 

"  No,  thank  you ;  I  never  do,"  said  the  boy,  with  a  half- 
laugh,  as  he  declined  the  civility. 

Mr.  Rowlie  said  nothing,  but  immediately  clapped  it 
in  his  own  mouth,  and  was  soon  puffing  away  until  he 
could  be  just  faintly  observed,  looming  up  dimly  through 
a  cloud  of  smoke. 

"  Come,  captain,"  called  the  voice  of  Mrs.  Rowlie,  at 
this  juncture  ;  "  come,  young  gentleman — I  don't  know 
your  name,"  she  said,  to  him,  apologetically,  as  he  followed 
the  captain  into  the  inner  room,  "  or  I'd  call  you  it,  I'm 
sure." 

"  I  wouldn't  advise  you  to  try  it,  if  you  have  any  rd. 


THE  MERMAID. 


15 


gard  for  your  teeth,"  said  Captain  Nick.  "  Call  him  Mr. 
Jacinto,  if  you  like.  I  forget  his  second  name,  now ;  but 
it's  a  stunner,  and  would  knock  you  over  stiff  as  a  mack- 
erel if  you  attempted  to  say  it.  Draw  in,  my  young 
hearty.  One  word's  as  good  as  ten — cut  away.  Amen. 
There's  a  grace !     Now  fall  to." 

And,  following  precept  by  example.  Captain  Tempest 
immediately  "  fell  to,"  with  an  appetite  six  hours  old,  and 
sharpened  by  the  sea-breeze  to  a  terrifying  extent. 
Jacinto  partook  lightly  of  Mrs.  Rowlie's  dainties,  and 
looked  on  between  laughter  and  dismay,  as  she  heaped 
up  his  plate  for  him. 

"  I  say,  old  woman,"  said  Captain  Nick,  when  business 
in  the  supper  department  began  to  slacken  a  little, 
"when  did  you  see  that  old  witch  of  Hades — Grizzle 
Howlet?" 

"  Let  me  see,"  said  Mrs.  Rowlie,  leaning  meditatively 
on  her  broom.  "  She  hain't  been  here,  I  don't  believe, 
since  the  night  you  left.     No,  she  ain't — not  since  then.'* 

"  Humph  I "  said  the  captain,  thoughtfully  as  he  re- 
sumed his  knife  and  fork,  but  in  a  far  different  manner 
than  before. 

At  this  moment  a  sudden  bustle  in  the  bar  arrested 
their  attention ;  a  sharp,  harsh  voice  was  heard,  address- 
ing some  question  to  Mr.  Rowlie — evidently  the  voice  of 
a  woman.  Mrs.  Rowlie  looked  at  the  captain  and  uttered 
an  ejaculation,  and  that  worthy  mariner  dropped  his 
knife  and  fork,  pushed  back  his  chair,  and  half  arose. 

"  Marcy  sakes  I "  exclaimed  the  little  woman.  "  Did 
you  ever?  Why,  I  do  declare!  if  that  ain't  her  own 
blessed  self ! " 

"  Her  o^vn  blessed  self ! "  said  the  captain,  in  an  under- 
tone, and  with  a  grim  smile.  "  Her  own  cursed  self,  you 
mean — the  old  hag !  How  did  she  know  I  was  here  ?  I 
believe  there's  something  of  the  vulture  in  that  old  bel- 
dame, and  that  she  scents  her  prey  afar  off.  By  the  prick- 
ing of  my  thumbs,  some  one  wicked  this  way  comes  !  Is 
here  !  "  he  cried  as  the  door  opened,  and  the  object  of  his 
eulogium  stood  bolt  upright  before  them. 

Jacinto  turned,  in  some  curiosity  to  look  at  the  new- 
comer, and  saw  what  looked  like  an  old  woman,  bui 


1: 


5i 


-i:. 


!i. 


i6 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


ought  to  have  been  a  man,  if  judged  by  size.  Extremely 
tall,  she  towered  up  in  the  apartment  as  straight  as  a  cedar 
of  Lebanon,  and  fully  a  head  over  Captain  Nick  Tempest. 
She  was  dressed  in  gray — all  gray,  from  head  to  foot.  A 
coarse  gray  dress,  a  gray  woolen  cloak,  with  a  gray  hood 
tied  under  her  chin,  and  might  have  passed  for  a  capuchin 
friar,  or  a  "Monk  of  the  Order  Gray,"  only  no  holy 
monk,  or  friar,  ever  wore  such  a  hard,  bitter,  evil,  unpity- 
ing  face,  such  a  stern,  remorseless  mouth,  and  such  a 
stony,  dead,  unfeeliag  eye,  as  that  woman  wore.  Upright 
in  the  door  she  stood,  and  scanned  Captain  Tempest,  with 
folded  arms,  for  full  live  minutes. 

"Well,  Grizzle,  my  old  friend,"  said  that  gentleman, 
with  a  sneer,  "  you'll  know  me  the  next  time ,  won't  you  ? 
Can't  I  pre\ail  on  you  to  come  in,  and  sit  down,  and 
make  yourself  as  miserable  as  possible  while  you  stay. 
How  have  you  been  since  I  saw  you  last,  my  dear  ?  You 
can't  think  how  I've  been  pining  for  you  ever  since,  my 
love." 

The  woman  took  not  the  slightest  notice  of  his  jibing 
tone  ;  not  a  muscle  of  her  iron  face  moved,  as  she  loomed 
up  like  a  figure  in  granite,  and  looked  down  upon  the 
contemptuous  face  of  the  captain  of  the  Fly-by-Night. 

"  Oh  I  so  my  politeness  is  all  thrown  away  upon  you,  is 
it  ?  "  he  said,  after  a  pause,  "  and  you  won't  speak.  Very 
well,  my  darling ;  just  as  you  like,  you  know,  and  I'll  let 
you.  Mrs.  Kowlie,  will  you  have  the  goodness  to  step 
out  to  the  bar  and  bring  me  a  pipe  ?  Draw  up  to  the 
fire,  Jacinto  ;  it's  cold  comfort  this  raw  evening,  and  the 
entrance  of  that  tall  blast  of  north  wind  yonder  has  given 
me  the  chills.  My  dearest  Grizzle,  do  come  to  the  fire — 
there's  a  duck.  You're  cold — don't  say  no — I'm  sure  you 
are ! "  And  stretching  out  his  arm,  stage-fashion,  and 
looking  toward  her.  Captain  Tempest  began  declaring, 
distractedly : 

"  *  Content  thyself,  my  dearest  love, 
Thy  rest  at  home  shall  be 
In  Rowlie's  sweet  and  pleasant  inn, 
For  travel  fits  not  thee  ? 

There's  the  old  ballad  for  you,  altered  and  improved; 


II 


THE  MERMAID. 


17 


\ 


and  here's  our  charming  hostess  with  the  pipe.  Jacinto, 
my  hearty,,  won't  you  have  a  draw  ?  " 

Jacinto,  who  was  completely  puzzled  by  the  captain's 
eccentric  manner,  declined  ;  and  glancing  toward  the  tall 
woman,  was  slightly  disconcerted  to  find  her  needle-like 
eyes  fixed  on  his  face  with  a  gaze  of  piercing  scrutiny. 

«  Who  is  this  boy  you  have  with  you,  Nick  Tempest  ?  " 
she  exclaimed,  in  a  harsh,  discordant  voice  as  she  came 
up,  and  bending  down,  seemed  piercing  the  boy  through 
and  through  with  her  gleaming  eyes. 

«  Oh  I  so  you  have  found  your  tongue,  my  sweet  pet?  " 
said  Captain  Tempest.  "  I  was  afraid  you  had  lost  it  al- 
together, which  would  be  an urspeakable  pity, you  know; 
for,  as  the  Irish  song  says,  '  you've  got  an  illigant  tongue, 
and  easily  set  a-going.'  As  to  who  he  is,  his  name  is 
Jacinto  Mandetti,  or  something  about  the  size  of  that, 
and  he  comes  from  old  Seville — place  where  they  raise 
sweet  oranges ;  and  he  is  a  good-looking  youth,  as  you 
perceive,  though  somewhat  of  the  tawniest.  And  so,  no 
more  at  present." 

Even  through  his  brown  skm,  the  flush  that  covered 
the  boy's  face,  under  her  pitile  .-is  gaze,  could  be  seen,  as, 
with  a  sudden,  sharp  flash  of  his  black  eyes,  he  rose  in- 
dignantly, and  turned  away. 

"  Well,  I'm  glad  you've  got  through  looking  at  him 
and  admiring  his  beauty,  my  dear,"  continued  the  captain, 
in  the  same  mocking  strain.  "  I  was  beginning  to  feel  a 
little  jealous,  you  know,  seeing  the  hearts  of  young  and 
tender  females  are  so  easily  captivated.  Come,  sit  down 
here  beside  me,  and  tell  me  how  the  world  has  been  using 
you  for  the  last  ten  months." 

"What  devil's  deed  brings  you  back  now,  Captain 
Tempest  ?  "  said  the  woman,  spurning  the  seat  he  placed 
for  her  away  with  her  foot,  and  leaning  against  the  man- 
tel. 

"  Really,  my  dear  Grizzle,  your  manner  of  address  can 
hardly  be  called  strictly  polite ;  but  plainness  was  always 
a  failing  of  yours."  And  he  glanced  slightly  at  her  for- 
bidding countenance.  "I  came  here  to  see  my  friends 
generally,  and  to  see  Mrs.  Grizzle  Howlet  particularly — 
though  that  lady's  welcome  has  been  indifferent,  not  to 


i  1 


I8 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


I  } 

I'    ^ 


say  cool.  What  malicious  fiend,  my  dearest,  has  been 
poisoning  your  eart  -xgainst  me  during  my  pb^once?" 

"  Pshaw,  man  !  don't  be  a  fool !  "  said  tlie  woman,  im- 
patiently. "Do  you  know  why  I  have  come  here  to- 
night ?  " 

"  How  should  I  know  ?  "  replied  the  captain. 

"  Then  it  was  to  warn  you^  Captain  Tempest ;  for  there 
is  danger  at  hand.  Forewarned  ^s  forearmed,  they  say ; 
so,  beware ! " 

"Don't  plagiarize,  my  dear  woman.  That  tragical 
'  beware  I '  I  have  heard  once  or  twice  before,  if  my  mem- 
ory serves  me  right,  when  you  and  I  used  to  tread  the 
boards  of  Old  Drury  every  night,  and  do  the  heavy 
tragedy.  Do  you  remember  those  happy  days,  my  charm- 
er, when  you  were  Lady  Macbeth  and  I  was  the  murdered 
Duncan  ?  " 

"  Take  care  the  old  tragedy  is  not  renewed  in  real  life  I  " 
said  the  woman,  with  a  sharp  flash  of  her  eyes.  "  I  can 
act  Lady  Macbeth  as  well  to-day  as  I  could  then ;  and,'* 
she  added,  bringing  down  her  clenched  hand  fiercely  on 
the  mantel,  "  I  feel  quite  as  ready  to  do  it  I " 

"  No  doubt  of  it,  my  love  ;  no  doubt  of  it.  But  about 
this  danger  with  which  I  am  threatened,  and  which  your 
tender  solicitude  for  my  sake  has  made  you  take  this 
long  and  lonesome  journey  to  avert — a  journey  so  full  of 
danger,  in  these  troublous  times,  to  a  young  and  lovely 
female  like  yourself.  Now  don't  get  into  a  passion,  my 
dear.  Where's  the  use  ?  "  What  wicked  person  or  per- 
sons has  designs  on  Captain  Nick  Tempest  now  ?  " 

With  her  gloomy  eyes  fixed  on  the  blazing  fire,  and 
her  heavy  brows  knotted  together,  the  woman  stood  silent 
for  a  while,  as  if  she  had  not  heard  the  question.  Cap- 
tain Nick  Tempest  looked  at  her  with  a  queer  smile,  and 
then  went  on  smoking,  casting  a  sidelong  glance,  as  he 
did  so,  toward  Jacinto.  The  young  Spaniard  stood  with 
his  back  to  them,  gazing  out  into  the  deepening  gloom  of 
the  raw,  chilly  evening;  but  the  captain  felt  sure  that 
not  one  word  of  the  conversation  was  lost  on  him. 

"  Nick  Tempest,"  said  the  woman,  looking  up  at  length, 
"  do  you  remember  the  predictions  of  that  old  woman  in 
Worcestershire,  who  was  hunted  to  death  for  a  witch 


THE  MERMAID. 


19 


i-;'ii 


that  night  that  you  entered  the  vaults  of  Saint  Faith's 
church  and  stole  the  diamond-ring  off  the  finger  of — *' 

"  Hush  I "  exclaimed  the  captain,  fiercely,  and  half- 
springing  from  his  seat,  as  he  cast  a  quick,  apprehensive 
glance  toward  the  boy. 

15ut  still  the  lad  stood  motionless  as  a  figure  in  marble ; 
and,  as  if  reassured,  he  sunk  back  and  said,  in  his  former 
tone  of  careless  mockery : 

"  To  be  sure  I  remember  it,  dear  Grizzle.  I  have  had 
an  excellent  memory  through  life,  and  it  is  not  likely  I 
would  forget  that  night ;  more  especially  as  you,  my 
charmer,  accompanied  me  in  the  expedition.  Let's  see, 
didn't  the  prophecy  run  something  like  this  : 

"  When  tliou 'rt  two  score  and  ten,       >^ 

Thy  fortune  turns  then. 
There  is  some  one  that  night  thou  wilt  see, 

The  deadliest  foe 

Tliat  thou  ever  wilt  know — 
For  a  life  will  be  lost  betwixt  ye  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  said  the  woman  ;  "  and  what  night  is  this  ? " 

"  This  ?  Why,  this  is  the  tenth,  of  April — my  birthday, 
as  I'm  a  sinner !  CapUiin  Nicholas  Lazarus  Tempest  is 
fifty  years  old — just  two-score  and  ten — this  minute,  as 
I'm  a  sinner.     Whew  I  then  this  is  the  very  night  I " 

As  he  spoke,  the  sharp  clatter  of  horses'  hoofs  rung  on 
the  stony  street  without,  and  a  high,  clear  voice  was 
heard  calling: 

"  Hallo  !  within  there  1 " 

"  And  here  is  the  man  himself ! "  cried  the  woman, 
starting  up,  her  eyes  filling  with  a  dusky  fire.  "  Captain 
Tempest,  you  have  been  warned.     Look  to  yourself." 

"  I  intend  to  do  so,  my  dear,"  said  the  captain,  with  a 
sneer,  as  he,  too,  arose.  "  What  a  loss  you  are  to  the 
stage!  Kemble  could  not  have  spoken  that  sentence 
more  tragically.     What,  are  you  going  ?  " 

Wrapping  the  coarse  cloak  closer  about  her,  and  draw- 
ing her  gray  hood  down  over  her  face  till  nothing  was 
visible  but  a  pair  of  fiery  eyes,  the  woman  waved  her  arm 
with  a  gesture,  half- warning,  half-menacing,  as  she  cast 
a  last  look  at  the  captain. 


I?, 

elis 


y 
H 


V 


I'  I 


20 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


That  gallant  mariner  responded  by  a  bow  as  profound 
as  that  of  an  old  lady  in  a  minuet,  and  kissed  his  hand  to 
her  as  she  disappeared. 

"  Good  riddance  to  bad  rubbish,  eh,  Jacinto  ?  "  he  said, 
when  she  was  gone,  with  a  quick,  shaip  glance  toward 
the  boy.  "  Ugly  as  original  sin,  and  with  the  devil's 
own  temper.  I  la  I  the  Mysterious  Unknown  is  calling 
again !  As  I  am  likely  to  have  an  interest  in  the  gentle- 
man, I  think  I  will  just  step  out  and  see  him.  What 
do  you  say  to  coming  with  me,  m^  lad? '' 

Nearly  a  minute  passed  before  the  boy  either  answered 
or  turned  round ;  and  when  he  did  so  at  last,  Captain 
Tempest  saw  a  face  from  which  every  trace  of  color  had 
fled — white  even  to  the  very  lips ;  and  with  a  look  so 
strange  and  inexplicable  in  the  depths  of  the  dark,  lus- 
trous eyes,  that  it  fairly  staggered  that  worthy  mariner. 

"  Hallo '  what's  the  matter  with  you,  my  boy  ? "  he  ex- 
claimed, in  amazement. 

"  Nothing ! "  said  the  boy ;  but  even  his  voice  was 
changed  so  that  the  captain  hardly  knew  it. 

Captain  Tempest  gave  him  a  piercing  look,  but  he  could 
not  fathom  the  sudden  emotion  that  had  blanched  the 
cheek  and  changed  the  voice  of  the  Spanish  boy ;  and  at 
length  he  turned  away,  with  a  long,  wailing  whistle  that 
told  how  completely  he  was  baffled,  and,  followed  by 
Jacinto,  passed  out  of  the  room  to  behold  his  unknown  foe. 


CHAPTER  II. 


THE  LONE  HOUSE. 


"  Away  then  hied  the  heir  of  Linne,  J  * 

O'er  hill,  and  holt,  and  moor,  and  fen,    ; 
Until  he  came  to  a  lonesome  lodge  ,  .  v  ^ 

'  That  stood  so  low  in  lonely  glen." 

—Percy  Reliques. 

Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rowlie  had  deserted  the  bar-room, 
and  stood  in  the  doorway  talking  to  the  stranger,  who 
was  on  horseback,  and  could  be  clearly  discovered  in  the 
last  rays  of  the  fading  daylight. 

Captain  Tempest  drew  back  a  little  behind  the  ample 


THE  LONE  HOUSE. 


31 


person  of  the  worthy  host  of  the  Mermaid,  and  scrutinized 
the  new-comer  with  more  interest  than  one  usually  ex- 
amines complete  stmngers.  And  very  well  worth  look- 
ing at  the  stranger  was,  as  he  sat  on  his  superb  horse 
like  a  prince  of  the  blood  :  and  the  captiiin  could  not  help 
inwardly  acknowledging  that  seldom  had  his  eyes  fallen 
on  a  more  gallant  figure.  lie  was  a  young  man,  of  not 
more  than  four  or  live-and-twenty,  tiill  and  finely  formed, 
with  a  certain  bold,  dashing  look  that  well  became  him, 
and  a  sort  of  indefinable  grace  about  him  at  once  careless 
and  high-])red.  llis  dark  curling  hair,  his  clear,  bold 
blue  eyes,  his  handsome  mouth  shadowed  by  a  thick, 
dark  mustache,  with  his  handsome  figure,  made  up  what 
all  must  have  admitted  to  be  a  remarkably  handsome 
young  gentleman — for  a  gentleman  he  evidently  was. 
His  dress  was  travel-stained,  his  heavy  top-boots  splashed 
Avith  nuid,  and  his  horse  looked  as  if  he  had  been  ridden 
long  and  hard. 

Holding  the  reins  in  one  hand,  the  young  man  was 
pointing  with  his  whip  toward  the  north. 

"  So  that's  the  way  to  Fon telle,  is  it  ?  "  he  was  saying, 
half-musingly.  "  I  thought  it  lay  in  the  opposite  direc- 
tion. Can  I  reach  it  to-night  do  you  think  ?  "  he  said 
turning  to  Mr.  Rowlie. 

"Well,  yes,  sir;  you  might,  and  then  again  you 
mightn't,"  responded  that  worthy,  scratching  his  bald 
pate  in  i)erplexity. 

«  How  many  miles  is  it  from  here  ?  "  asked  the  stranger, 
adjusting  his  horse's  girths. 

"  Well,  sometimes  it's  more,  and  then  again  sometimes 
it's  less,"  replied  Mr.  Rowlie,  sententiously. 

The  handsome  stranger  looked  up  and  favored  mine 
host  with  a  stare  of  so  much  surprise  at  this  announce- 
ment, that  Mrs.  Rowlie  felt  called  upon  to  strike  in. 

"  He  means,  if  you  please,  sir,"  said  that  little  woman, 
dropping  a  smiling  little  courtesy,  "  that  it's  according  to 
the  way  you  go.  If  you  take  the  turnpike,  it's  nigh  onto 
forty  mile ;  but  if  you  go  over  the  mountain,  it's  ten 
miles  less,  sir,  if  you  please." 

"  Oh,"  said  the  stranger,  enlightened,  and  touching  his 
hat  gallantly  to  the  old  lady  in  acknowledgment,  "I  see; 


ill 


i^ 


32 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


but  as  I  am  a  complete  stranger  here,  I  do  not  know  the 
way  over  tlie  mountains ;  and  it  would  \)e  rather  incon- 
venient, not  to  say  unpleasant,  to  break  my  neck  just  at 
present.  So,  on  the  wliole,  I'll  take  the  road  for  it;  my 
horse  will  do  it  in  five  hours,  I  think.  Is  it  going  to 
rain  luil'ore  midnight,  think  you?"  said  the  stranger, 
glancing  at  ISIr.  Uowlit;. 

"  Well,  now,  there  ain't  never  no  saying  about  the 
weath(»r  liereabouts,  'cause  it  generally  does  what  it  ain't 
expected  to  do.  It  might  rain,  you  know,  and  then  again 
it  mightn't,"  said  Mr.  Uowlie,  evidently  determined  not 
to  connnit  himself. 

The  strang(;r  laughed. 

"Oh  I  thank  you;  quite  enlightened.  What  an  acqui- 
sition you  would  be  to  an  almanac-maker,  my  good  friend. 
Well,  I  think  I  will  try  your  road  for  it — and  an  infernal 
road  it  is;  my  horse  is  lamed  already.  Good-by,  my 
frii^nd ;  good-by,  madam,"  said  the  young  man,  gathering 
up  the  reins,  preparatory  to  starting. 

All  tliis  time  Captain  Nick  had  been  watching  him, 
and  listening  intently  ;  and  low  muttering,  "  Not  so  fast, 
my  fine  fellow.  I'll  find  out  what  you're  made  of  first," 
he  came  out,  and  stood  directly  in  his  way. 

"  l>eg  pardon,  sir — going  to  Fontelle,  eh?  " 

"  Yes,  sir ;  have  you  any  objection  ?  "  said  the  young 
man,  soothing  his  horse,  startled  by  the  captain's  sudden 
appcarjuice. 

"Not  in  the  least,  my  young  friend.  May  I  ask  your 
business  there  ?  " 

The  young  man  raised  his  handsome  eyes,  and  fixed 
them  full  on  the  captain  for  a  moment,  and  said,  quietly : 

"  Yes — you  may  ask ;  but  whether  I'll  answer  or  not, 
is  another  question." 

"  You'd  like  a  guide  over  the  mountains,  wouldn't  you  ?  " 
continued  the  unabashed  captain.  "  What  would  you 
think  of  me,  now  ?  " 

"  Well,"  said  the  young  man,  carelessly,  after  mature 
deliberation  on  the  subject,  "  I  should  say,  if  I  wanted  an 
impertinent  scoundrel  for  a  guide,  I  should  take  you. 
Your  face  is  anything  but  a  letter  of  recommendation, 
my  good  friend." 


THE  LONE  HOUSE. 


23 


"Then,  by  TTcaveii ! "  said  the  captaiit,  liis  faco  grow- 
ing criiMHoii  witlj  rage,  "•  my  (\vv(\h  sliall  not  belie  my 
faeo  1  Out  of  this  you  sliall  not  stir  until  you  liave  an- 
8>vpre<l  for  that  epithet  1  " 

"  My  dear  sir,  you  really  must  excuse  nie,"  said  the 
young  man,  in  his  eareless  way  ;  "  1  never  (quarrel,  save 
with  gentlemen." 

With  a  tierce  oath,  Captain  Tempest  grasped  the  bridle- 
rein  so  violently  that  the  horse  almost  fell  back  on  his 
liaunches. 

"  Y'ou  violent  young  ptippy  !  do  yon  know  who  you 
are  talking  to?"  he  cried,  in  a  voice  hoarse  with  passion. 

"  Some  rascally,  low-l)red  Yankee,  I  have  no  doubt  I 
Come,  sir,  let  go  my  bridle-rein  I "  said  the  stranger, 
cabnly,  but  with  a  sudden  rising  light  in  his  eyes  that 
might  have  warned  C^iptain  Tempest  of  his  danger. 

But  Captain  Tempest,  hearing  only  his  calm,  even  tone, 
laughed  insolently  in  his  face,  and  grasped  it  all  the 
tighter.  As  he  did  so,  a  hand  Avas  laid  on  his  arm,  and 
the  boy  Jacinto  stood  beside  him,  his  momentary  emotion 
all  gone,  and  his  face  expressing  only  concern  at  the 
quarrel. 

"  Do  let  go,  captain !  Why  should  you  quarrel  with  him, 
a  perfect  stranger  ?  "  said  the  boy,  earnestly,  laying  hold 
of  the  captain's  arm,  while  the  young  man  fixed  his  eye  on 
Jacinto  with  a  startled  look. 

"  Go  to  the  devil,"  was  his  harsh  response,  as  he  shook 
off  the  boy's  hand  and  tightened  his  liold  of  the  bridle, 
never  for  a  moment  releasing  hold  of  the  reins,  nor 
removing  his  insulting  stare  of  derisive  triumph  from  the 
stranger's  face. 

The  words  recalled  the  young  man  from  the  transient 
interest  Jacinto  had  excited,  and  with  a  stern  compression 
of  his  handsome  mouth,  and  a  bright,  angry  flash  of  his 
handsome  eye,  he  turned  to  the  captain. 

"Will  you  let  go  my  bridle-rein?"  he  said. 

**  No,"  said  the  captain  with  a  sneer. 

"  Then,  by  Jove !  I'll  make  you  I "  he  cried,  and  quick 
as  lightning  he  raised  his  whip,  and  cut  the  captain  a 
blinding  slash  in  the  face. 

With  a  shriek  of  a  wild  beast  of  prey,  Captain  Tempest^ 


!i 


r- 


I, 


'  *^ 


In  i 


24 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


bleeding  and  blinded,  sprung  back,  and  with  a  derisive 
shcut,  the  young  man  struck  spurs  into  his  horse  and 
flew  down  the  road,  shouting  back  as  he  did  so  : 

"  Good-evening,  my  kind  friend  I — better  luck  next 
time  1  "  And,  with  a  laugh,  he  was  out  of  sight  in  a 
moment.  The  last  glimpse  he  had  of  Captain  Tempest, 
showing  him  livid  and  foaming  at  the  mouth,  in  a  perfect 
frenzy  of  impotent  rage. 

The  young  man  rode  on  rapidly  for  nearly  half  an  hour, 
casting  a  glance  back  every  now  and  then,  as  if  he  ex- 
pected pursuit ;  and  when  it  became  too  dark  to  see, 
halting  at  intervals  to  listen.  Nothing  met  his  ear,  how- 
ever, but  the  faint,  distant  booming  of  the  sea,  and  the 
melancholy  wailing  of  the  wind,  that  was  rising  each 
moment,  and  his  sharp  pace  gradually  relaxed;  and 
loosening  the  reins  on  his  horse's  neck,  he  suffered  him 
to  go  at  a  more  moderate  pace. 

Night  had  fallen  at  last — fallen  in  more  than  Egyptian 
darkness — witli  a  "gloomy  sky  above,  a  gloomy  earth 
below."  The  wind  came  wailing  up  from  the  sea,  and 
over  the  distant  hills,  in  long,  lamentable  blasts,  and  a 
drizzling,  uncomfortable  rain,  thf^t  pierced  the  skin,  began 
to  fall  with  it.  The  blast  was  raw,  and  cold,  too ;  and, 
with  a  shiver,  the  young  man  lifted  a  folded  cloak  of 
black  cloth,  lined  with  rich  fur,  that  lay  over  the  saddle, 
and  flung  it  around  his  shoulders.  In  vain  he  strove  to 
pierce  through  the  Tartarian  darkness — the  eyes  of  Argus 
himself  would  have  failed  in  such  a  night ;  so,  pulling 
his  hat  down  over  his  face,  to  shade  it  from  the  blinding 
rain,  he  allowed  his  wearied  steed  to  jog  on  after  his  own 
will. 

"  If  I  had  thought  the  storm  would  have  arisen  so  soon, 
I  would  have  stayed  at  that  inn  all  night,"  he  said  in  a 
sort  of  soliloquy  ;  "  but  it's  too  late  now,  and  I  must  make 
the  best  of  a  bad  bargain.  On,  Saladin,  my  boy,  on ! 
There  is  rest  and  comfort  in  store  for  you,  once  we  reach 
Fontelle.  I  wonder  if  there  is  no  house  along  the  way 
where  I  could  stay  for  the  night ;  or  have  I  lost  my  way 
among  the  wilds  of  Jersey  ?  What  a  Don  Quixote  I  am, 
to  be  sure ! "  he  said  with  a  slight  laugh,  "  to  leave 
merrie  England  and  ride  over  to  America  in  search  of  ad- 


THE  I.ONE  HOUSE. 


25 


ventures,  and  begin  by  horse- whipping  one  of  the  natives. 
What  a  remarkably  handsome  boy  that  was,  and  how  his 
voice  did  remind  me  of — ha !  if  that's  not  a  light  l)y  all 
that's  lucky  !     Turn,  Saladin  I  there's  shelter  at  hand !  " 

Far  in  the  distance,  dimly  twinkling  through  the  deep 
gloom,  the  traveler  had  caught  a  faint,  uncertain  ray  of 
light,  and  never  did  storm- tossed  mariner  hail  the  welcome 
beacon  more  gladly  than  did  he.  Saladin  saw  it  too ;  and 
pricking  up  his  ears  he  mended  his  dejected  pace  and 
struck  off  from  the  high-road  in  the  direction  whence  it 
came. 

Nearly  an  hour  had  elapsed  since  his  leaving  the  Mer- 
maid, and  the  young  man  judged  he  had  come  about  six 
miles  during  that  time.  The  light  appeared,  as  he  went, 
to  have  been  further  off  than  at  first  he  had  supposed ; 
and  the  house,  if  house  it  were,  to  \)e  situated  in  a  sort  of 
marsh,  or  bog,  into  which  his  horse  sunk  at  every  step. 
Still,  Saladin  plowed  his  way  bravely  on,  sinking  and 
rising  again,  until  the  light  was  reached  at  last,  and  the 
traveler  saw  it  issued  from  an  upper  window  of  a  solitary 
house — in  very  truth,  a  "lonesome  lodge  that  stood  so 
low  in  lonely  glen." 

*'•  Now,  the  saints  alone  know  what  sort  of  savages  live 
here,"  said  the  young  man,  as  he  alighted,  and  raising  the 
handle  of  his  heavy  riding-whip,  knocked  loudly  and 
authoritatively  at  the  door ;  "  but  be  they  goblins,  kelpies, 
or  earthly  sinners,  I'll  try  them,  sooner  than  pass  such  a 
night  as  this  is  going  to  be,  under  the  cold  canopy  of  a 
New  Jersey  sky."  And  again  he  knocked  as  if  he  would 
have  beaten  down  the  stout,  oaken  door. 

A  moment  after,  and  the  sound  of  bolts  withdrawing 
mei;  his  ear  :  and  the  next,  it  swung  partially  back,  but  as 
he  attempted  to  enter  he  was  held  back  by  a  chain  which 
prevented  the  door  opening  sufficiently  for  that  purpose. 
Not  a  ray  of  light  could  he  see,  but  only  a  white  face  that 
shone  through  the  deep  darkness. 

"  Who  are  you  ?  "  said  a  harsh,  unpleasant  voice,  that 
might  have  l)elonged  either  to  a  man  or  a  woman. 

"  A  traveler  caught  in  the  storm,  who  seeing  the  light, 
has  sought  shelter  here,"  he  answered  promptly, 

"  Are  you  alone  ?  "  >— 


i 


■ 


i 


it 

i  ■  I  ■ 


26 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


I  i  -911  i  i 
1 


<if 


"  Yes ;  unless  you  call  my  horse  company.  Come,  my 
friend,  be  hospitable  enough  to  let  mo  in.  I  am  able  to 
pay  you,  as  it  happens,  for  a  night's  lodging." 

"  Enter,"  said  the  invisible  voice,  withdrawing  the  chain. 
"  One  has  to  be  careful  who  they  admit  these  times ;  for 
since  the  war  there  have  been  marauding  parties  of  soldiers 
knocking  about  the  country,  and  it  makes  it  dangerous 
for  a  poor,  lone  woman  to  admit  every  one.  Walk  in,  sir  ; 
I'll  see  to  your  horse." 

"  Thank  you ;  I  always  make  a  point  of  doing  that  my- 
self.    I'll  accompany  you  if  you'll  allow  me." 

"  As  you  like.  Here,  Orrie  I  Orrie  1 "  called  the  woman, 
suddenly  throwing  open  a  door  and  admitting  such  a  flood 
of  light  from  a  huge,  blazing  fire,  that  for  a  moment  the 
stranger's  eyes,  accustomed  so  long  to  the  darkness,  were 
half-blinded. 

"  What  ?  "  s  ^id  a  childish  voice,  so  close  to  his  elbow 
that  he  started ;  and  looking  down  he  saw  a  little  boy, 
apparently  about  twelve  years  of  age — the  most  elfish 
mite  of  childhood  he  had  ever  beheld — with  a  small,  thin, 
dark  face,  precocious  beyond  its  years,  and  lit  up  by  a 
pair  of  the  most  wonderful  black  eyes  that  ever  were  seen. 
Its  dress  was  an  odd  affair — a  short  red  flannel  skirt 
under  a  boy's  jacket,  and  a  boy's  cap  crushed  down  over 
a  tangled  mass  of  short,  thick  curls  from  beneath  which 
gleamed  its  odd,  wild,  cunning  little  elfish  face. 

"  Take  the  lantern  and  show  the  gentleman  the  way  to 
the  stable,"  said  the  woman — a  remarkal)ly  tall,  hard- 
featured  specimen  of  femaledom — as  she  passed  into  the 
room  and  left  him. 

The  child  darted  away,  and  presently  reappeared  with 
a  dark-lantern ;  and  springing  out  into  the  rain,  seized 
the  horse  by  the  bridle,  as  if  it  were  quite  a  matter  of 
course,  and  led  him  off,  followed  by  his  master,  who 
laughed  to  himself  at  the  odd  figure  the  child  cut. 

"  What  a  spicy  tiger  that  same  little  atom  of  mankind 
would  make  !  and  what  a  rig  he  has  on,  to  be  sure  !  He 
would  be  worth  a  million  in  cash  to  ride  the  favorite  at 
the  Derby." 

The  child  led  the  animal  into  the  stable  occupied  by 
another  horse,  and  tied  him  up,  and  began  unloosening 


THE  I.ONE  HOUSE. 


27 


liis  trappings  in  a  twinkling.  The  young  man  assisted 
him,  and  when  Saladin  had  been  properly  rubbed  down 
and  cared  for,  they  both  left  the  stable  together,  and 
turned  toward  the  house. 

"  You're  quite  used  to  this  sort  of  thing,  I  see,  my  lad," 
he  said,  glancing  in  mingled  curiosity  and  amusement  at 

the  boy. 

"Tying  the  horses  ?— should  think  I  was,"  said  the 
child,  with  something  of  a  chuckle. 

"  Is  this  a  regular  tavern,  sonny  ?  " 

"  No,  though  folks  stay  in  sometimes,"  was  -he  reply. 

"  Who  lives  here  ?     What's  your  name,  my  boy  ?  " 

"  T  ain't  your  ])oy !  I  ain't  a  boy  at  all !  I'm  a  girl  I 
and  my  name's  Oi'iole  ;  but  for  short  they  call  me  Orrie," 
said  the  little  one,  sharply. 

"  Whew !  "  whistled  the  young  man  ;  "  here's  a  dis- 
covery. I  beg  ten  thousand  pardons ;  but  your  dress  led 
me  hito  error.     What  makes  you  wear  boy's  clothes  ?  " 

"  Oh  !  slie  mokes  me  wear  whatever's  liandiest !  " 

«  Who  is  '  she,'  Miss  Oriole  ?  " 

*'  Why,  she,  you  know — her  that  let  you  in." 

"  Oh  !  that  tall,  old  woman !     Is  she  your  mother  ?  " 

"  My  mother  ?  "  said  the  child,  with  a  shrill  elfish  laugh  ; 
"no  I  ain't  got  none — never  had  any.  bhe's  only  old 
Grizzle  !  " 

They  had  reached  the  door  by  this  time,  and  the  little 
one  darted  in,  m  her  quick  way,  held  it  open  for  the 
stranger,  and  then  closed  and  bolted  it  agam,  in  a  flash. 

"  Come  along  right  in  here,"  said  Oriole,  whose  fleet 
motion  reminded  him  of  her  njimesake,  as  slie  held  open 
the  door  of  what  seemed  to  be  the  kitclien  ;  up  the  ample 
chimney  of  which  roared  iind  crackled  a  huge  fire — a  wel- 
come sight  to  our  cold  and  weary  traveler. 

"  Set  a  chair  for  the  gentleman,  Orrie.  Sit  up  to  the  fire, 
sir,  and  warm  yourself,"  said  the  woman,  as  she  whipped 
a  large  pot  oft'  the  fire,  from  which  issued  a  savory  odor 
of  boiled  i)ork. 

Tlie  young  man  looked  at  her,  and  thought  that  in  all 
his  life  he  had  never  seen  or  heard  a  more  villainous  and 
repulsive-looking  specimen  of  the  angelic  sex.  It  seemed 
to  him  that  she  imparted  a  sinister  character  even  to 


i 


■  ;; 

:     H 

mi 


1^ 


28 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


M  ! 


the  peaceful  and  domestic  occupation  of  preparing 
supper. 

"  Woman,  lovely  woman  !  "  thought  the  young  man, 
with  a  half-laugh,  as  he  looked  at  her  grisly  face,  almost 
hideous  in  its  ugliness,  now  that  the  hood  of  her  cloak, 
which  she  still  wore,  was  thrown  back.  "  What  a  mouth 
for  kissing !  I  wonder  if  by  any  possibility  anybody  could 
ever  have  loved  that  woman,  for  in  her  best  days  she  must 
have  been  wors^  than  ugly — wicked  !  Wonder  what  this 
queer  little  kelpie  in  the  bare  foet  is  to  her.  Old  Grizzle  I 
a  most  appropriate  name.  A  '  poor  lone  woman,'  indeed  1 
It's  little  she  need  fear  intruders,  guarded  by  the  three- 
headed  dragon  of  Age,  Ugliness  and  Poverty." 

The  young  man  arose,  and  turning  his  back  to  the  fire, 
brought  his  coat-tails  forward  over  his  arms,  and  with  his 
legs  in  the  form  of  a  triangle,  subsided  into  that  state  of 
tranquil  happiness  all  true-born  Englishmen  feel  in  the 
above  position,  and  sunk  into  a  day-dream,  from  which 
a  call  to  supper  awoke  him. 

The  hungry  traveler  obeyed  with  alacrity,  pulling  out 
his  watch,  an  elegant  gold  one,  set  with  brilliants,  to  see 
the  hour.  As  he  replaced  it,  he  started  slightly  to  see 
the  fierce,  gleaming  eyes  of  the  woman  fixed  upon  it  with 
a  greedy,  devouring  gaze,  that  was  instantly  removed 
the  moment  their  eyes  met. 

That  look  was  a  revelation.  Replacing  the  watch,  he 
sat  do^vn  in  silence  to  supper,  inwardly  wondering 
whether  he  would  not  have  been  quite  as  safe  out  in  the 
storm  as  here,  and  whether,  as  the  old  adage  has  it,  "  he 
had  not  halloed  before  he  was  out  of  the  woods."  Dur- 
ing the  meal,  he  was  asoiduously  waited  upon  by  the  old 
woman,  who  made  various  efforts  to  draw  from  him  his 
name  and  business,  which  he  completely  baffled  by  his 
evasive  answers. 

"  Your  room  is  all  ready,  sir,  and  you  can  go  to  it  when- 
ever you  like,"  said  the  woman,  as  he  arose  from  the 
table. 

"  Very  well,  I  will  go  now.  But  first,"  he  said,  care- 
lessly, "  I  will  look  to  my  pistols  lest  the  priming  may 
have  got  wet  with  the  rain." 

He  drew  out  from  the  breast-pocket  of  his  great-coat, 


THE  LONE  HOUSE. 


m 


as  be  spoke,  a  pair  of  handsomely-mounted  pistols,  and 
examined  them  carefully.  As  he  suddenly  looked  up  from 
bis  occupation,  he  caught  his  hostess  looking  at  him  with 
something  like  a  sneer  on  her  repulsive  face. 

« It  is  not  safe  to  travel  unarmed  these  times,"  he  said, 
looking  her  full  in  the  face,  as  he  replaced  them.  "  A 
well-primed  pistol  is  about  the  best  thing  a  man  can  have 
just  at  present." 

"  Quite  right,  sir,"  said  the  woman,  lighting  a  candle. 
"  This  way,  if  you  please." 

He  turned  and  followed  her  up  a  flight  of  stairs,  and 
into  a  large,  dark,  low-ceilinged  room,  where  a  Are  was 
dimly  burning.  In  one  corner  stood  a  bed,  and  in  another 
a  table  and  this,  with  a  couple  of  chairs,  comi)rised  the 
sole  furniture  of  the  room.  Setting  the  candle  on  the 
table,  the  woman  bade  him  good-night,  and  left  the  room. 

But,  somehow,  tired  as  he  was,  the  young  stranger 
could  not  make  up  his  mind  to  go  to  bed. 

There  seemed  something  evil  and  sinister  about  the 
woman,  and  the  place  altogether,  that  banished  all  desire 
for  sleep.  This  lonely  house,  far  removed  from  every 
other  habitation,  was  just  the  place  for  deeds  of  blood  and 
darkness.  All  the  old  tales  he  had  ever  heard  or  read  of 
travelers  robbed  and  murdered  in  lonesome  old  houses, 
and  never  heard  of  more,  came  crowding  through  his 
mind,  until  he  had  worked  himself  into  a  waking  night- 
mare. Placing  his  pistols  on  the  table,  he  raised  the  blind 
and  tried  to  look  out,  but  it  was  as  dark  as  Erebus,  and  a 
j)erfect  tempest  of  wind  and  rain  was  raging.  Preferring 
to  risk  the  uncertain  danger  of  robbery  and  murder, 
rather  than  the  more  certain  one  of  a  complete  drenching, 
he  flung  himself  into  a  chair  before  the  fire  and  fell  into 
deep  thought.  An  hour  passed  and  then  another,  and  all 
was  perfectly  still.  The  fire  began  to  burn  low  on  the 
hearth,  and  the  candle  flared  and  glittered  on  the  table. 
Rising  with  a  yawn,  the  young  man  was  about  to  throw 
himself,  dressed  and  all,  on  the  bed,  when  a  sight  caught 
his  eye  that  startled  him  almost  as  much  as  the  ghost  of 
Banquo  did  King  Macbeth.  At  the  head  of  the  bed,  on 
the  whitewashed  wall,  was  the  dark,  clotted  mark  of  five 
fingers,  as  if  a  bloody  hand  had  been  suddenly  dashed 


30 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


against  it.  There  it  was — glittering  red,  and  ghastly,  and 
horrible,  in  the  dying  light  of  the  fire — that  bleeding  hand 
on  the  wall.  It  seemed  so  like  the  realization  of  his  fears, 
so  like  a  ghost  risen  from  the  dead  to  warn  him,  that  he 
recoiled  in  horror  from  the  grisly  sight,  and  gazed  on  it 
with  pretty  much  the  same  feelings  as  Robinson  Crusoe 
gazed  on  the  solitary  footprint  in  the  sand. 

All  thought  of  going  to  bed  was  now  out  of  the  question, 
and,  approaching  his  door,  he  opened  it  softly  and  listened. 
The  door  at  the  foot  of  the  stairs,  opening  into  the  kitchen, 
was  ajar,  and  through  it,  plainly  audible  to  his  ears,  came 
the  subdued  hum  of  several  voices — men's  voices,  too. 

The  young  traveler  had  stood  face  to  face  with  death 
and  danger  many  a  time  before  now,  and  had  plenty  of 
physical  courage  ;  and  now,  as  he  saw  his  full  danger,  his 
nerves  seemed  changed  to  steel,  and  his  handsome  face 
grew  set  and  stern. 

Softly  removing  his  heavy  boots,  he  stole  noiselessly 
down  the  stairs,  and  through  the  crevice  in  the  door  he 
could  plainly  see  and  hear  all  that  passed  in  the  room — 
himself  unobserved.  Three  men — one  stout,  middle-aged 
and  short ;  the  other  two  young,  and  of  almost  gigantic 
stature,  either  of  whom  might  have  taken  a  premium  for 
villainous  countenances — sat  around  the  fire,  talking  in 
low,  earnest  voices.  The  woman  Grizzle,  the  most 
villainous-looking  of  the  lot,  sat  beside  the  elder,  and  it 
was  her  voice  he  first  heard. 

"  1  tell  you  it's  worth  fiftj'^  pounds,  if  it's  worth  a  far- 
thing ! "  she  was  saying.  "  It  was  set  with  gems — real 
brilliants,  too — none  of  your  sham  cheats ;  and  he's  a  born 
aristocrat  himself,  if  ever  I  saw  one — nothing  of  the  swell 
or  humbug  about  him.  Of  course  he  has  more  money 
with  him  than  that ;  and  you  will  find  him  the  best  bird 
you  have  plucked  this  many  a  day ! " 

"  But  the  pistols  ?  "  said  the  short  stout  man. 

"  Pooh !  he's  asleep  before  this.  The  light's  out  of  his 
room,  and,  even  with  his  pistols,  what  can  he  do  in  the 
dark — and  against  three  ?  He  thinks  we  Avill  come  in  at 
the  door,  if  he  thinks  of  it  at  all,  which  is  not  likely, 
though  he  is  wide  awake,  I  can  tell  you  1  What  does  he 
know  about  the  trap  under  the  bed  ?    I  tell  you,  there's 


AN  ESCAPE. 


31 


no  danger,  and  it  will  be  five  hundred  pounds,  if  not  more, 
in  your  pocket.  What  makes  it  better,  he's  a  stranger, 
too — I  know  he  is ;  though  he  was  as  close  as  an  oyster, 
and  dodged  every  question  I  asked  him." 

Some  strange,  magnetic  attraction  made  the  young  man 
remove  his  eyes  from  the  speaker's  face,  and  he  was  stiirt- 
led  to  encounter  a  pair  of  great,  wild,  glittering  black 
orbs  fixed  full  upon  him — riveted  to  his  face.  It  was  the 
child.  Oriole,  crouched  up  in  a  corner,  her  great  black 
eyes  bearing  full  upon  him. 

He  half  raised  his  hand  as  if  to  warn  her  to  be  silent 
when  the  voice  of  one  of  the  young  men  caught  and  fixed 
his  attention. 

"  Of  course,  there's  no  danger ;  and  that  fellow's  as 
safely  done  for  as  if  his  throat  was  slit  from  ear  to  ear 
this  minute.     When  are  we  to  settle  him,  mother  ?  " 

"  I'll  go  up  to  his  door  and  listen  first,"  said  the  woman, 
rising,  "  and  try  to  find  out  whether  he's  asleep,  or  only 
shamming.     I'll  be  back  in  a  minute." 

"  He'll  soon  sleep  sound  enough,  I'll  warrant  him,"  said 
the  other  young  man,  stirring  up  the  fire,  with  a  laugh. 

At  that  moment  the  young  stranger  felt  a  hand,  icy 
cold,  grasp  his  wrist  from  behind,  with  a  grip  of  iron ; 
and,  with  a  half-repressed  ejaculation,  he  turned  round  to 
see  who  had  caught  him. 


CHAPTER  III. 


AN     ESCAPE. 


Macbeth.-—'*  What  do  ye  there  ?  " 
WiTCLES. — "  A  deed  without  a  name." 

— SHAKFiPEARE. 

"  Hush  !  "  said  a  terrified  voice,  "  don't  make  a  noise — 
don't  speak !     It's  only  me." 

It  was  the  voice  of  the  child,  Orrie.  The  young  man 
glanced  in  wonder  to  the  place  where  he  had  seen  her 
last ;  but  it  was  empty  now. 

"  Come  up-stairs,  quick !  Oh,  hurry,  hurry  I  "  ex- 
claimed the  child,  in  an  agonized  whisper,  as  her  little 


^ 


»»-!■-.-■!■ 

Ai  a 

m  II 

m 


li^  ^ 


32 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


! 


n 


hand  clenched  his  wrist  for  a  moment,  with  almost  su^  jr- 
natural  strength,  and  then  she  flitted  lightly  and  noise- 
lessly as  a  shadow  up  the  stairs. 

There  was  no  time  to  lose.  The  woman,  who  had 
stood  listening  while  they  spoke,  now  started  to  cross 
the  room,  and  the  stranger,  taking  two  or  three  steps  at 
a  time,  sprung  lightly  up  the  stairs  and  entered  his 
chamber. 

Little  Oriole  was  there  before  him;  and  the  moment  he 
entered,  she  shot  back  the  bolt  and  secured  the  door. 

"  Hush !  Listen  !  "  said  the  child,  in  the  same  startled 
whisper.  "  Make  a  noise  when  she  comes,  so  she  won't 
think  you  are  asleep.  If  she  hears  you  awake,  she  won't 
come  in  just  yet." 

The  creaking  sound  stairs  invariably  persist  in  making 
when  one  treads  them  on  tiptoe,  warned  them  tliot  the 
lady  of  the  house  was  at  hand,  and  the  young  man,  acting 
on  the  child's  hint,  l)egan  to  whistle,  pausing  now  and 
then,  and  moving  through  the  room  as  though  he  were 
preparing  for  bed.  Oriole  stood  with  her  ear  glued  to  the 
key-hole,  listening  with  all  her  might,  holding  up  one 
little  finger  warningly,  and  now  and  then  giving  him  an 
approving  nod.  At  last  she  raised  her  head,  and  drew  a 
long  breath. 

"  She's  gone,"  she  said,  coming  over  and  looking  earn- 
estly up  in  his  face ;  "  but  she'll  come  back,  and  so  will 
they — old  Till,  and  Kit,  and  Blaize." 

"  My  dear  little  girl,  how  in  the  world  came  you  on  the 
stairs  that  time  ?  "  said  the  young  man,  who  at  first  Lad 
been  inclined  to  distrust  her ;  but  the  terror  and  earnest- 
ness of  her  face  was  too  real  to  be  assumed. 

"I  saw  you,  and  came  round  the  back  way — there's 
another  pair  of  stairs  at  the  end  of  the  house,  that  we 
come  up  sometimes,  and  I  had  to  come  round,  or  old  Grizzle 
would  have  seen  me.  But,  oh  I  what  will  you  do  ?  "  she 
exclaimed,  clasping  her  hands,  "  They'll  all  come  up  by 
and  by,  and  take  all  your  money,  and  then — "  she  paused 
with  a  violent  shudder. 

"  Well,  and  then  ?  "  said  the  young  man,  looking  at  the 
child  with  more  curiosity  than  anything  else. 

"  They'll  put  you  down  the  cellar  I "  said  Oriole,  in  an 


AN  ESCAPE. 


33 


awe-stricken  whisper,  her  large  eyes  dilating  with  horror. 

"Will  they?"  said  the  stranger.  "  Tiu  not  so  sure 
about  that.  But,  good  heavens  1  what  an  infernal  den 
this  must  ha  I  Do  tliey  often  put  people  down  the  cellar, 
as  you  call  it — which,  being  translated,  means  murderuig 
them,  I  suppose  ?  " 

"  Oh  no — not  often.  I  only  saw  them  put  one  down  ; 
and  old  Grizzle  said — "  and  the  child  clung  to  liim  as  she 
si)oke,  and  her  great  black  eyes  grew  wild  and  horror- 
stricken  again — "  that  if  I  ever  told  she  would  put  mo 
down  with  hi m.  Oh!  don't  you  tell  her!  Oh!  don^t  tell 
her  !  "  she  cried,  clasping  her  little  hands  in  an  agony  of 
entreaty. 

"  Tell  her,  my  dear  little  savior  ?  "  said  the  young  man, 
sitting  down  on  a  chair,  and  lifting  her  up  on  his  knee. 
"  Xot  T,  indeed  I  What  makes  you  live  in  such  an  ac- 
cursed place  ?  " 

Oriole  lilted  up  her  black  eyes,  and  looked  at  him  in  the 
greiitest  astonishment  at  such  a  ([ucstion. 

"  Why,  because  I've  got  to,"  she  said  decidedly. 

"  What  relation  is  this  old  hag  of  Hades  to  you,  my 
child  ?  " 

"  She  ain't  nothin'  to  me,  as  I  knows  of.  I  ain't  nothin* 
to  nobody,  I  guess." 

"  Then  how  came  you  to  live  here  with  her  ?  " 

"  Lor' !  how  should  I  know  *? "  said  the  child,  with  an 
impatient  jerk  of  her  shoulders.  "  Where's  the  good  of 
your  asking  about  that,  when  you  know  well  enough 
they're  coming  up  to  kill  you,  by  and  l)y  V  "  * 

"  That's  true  enough,  by  Jove  !  "  said  the  young  man, 
starting  up.  "  We  must  take  measures  to  baffle  their  kind 
intentions,  my  precocious  little  friend.  I  heard  them  men- 
tion a  trap-door  under  the  bed  wlien  I  was  listening  on  the 
stairs,  and  here  goes  to  look  for  it." 

He  1  ttempted  to  move  the  bed  as  he  si)oke,  but  it  re- 
sisted all  his  efforts. 

"  You  can't  move  it,"  said  Oriole,  "  and  there  ain't  no  use 
a-trying.     Don't  you  see  it's  nailed  down  ?  " 

"  Well,  but  what  about  the  trap  ?  I  must  see  after  that, 
my  little  sprite."  And  he  lifted  the  valance  of  the  bed, 
and  stooped  down  to  examine  the  floor. 


i; 


''1 


'    i'l 


34 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


I 


"  Ugh  I  "  said  Orrie,  with  a  shudder  ;  "  that's  the  way 
tht-y  g»)  down  ceUar,  and  tliat's  the;  way  they'll  come  up 
here.  Don't  you  lift  it  up — I  wouldn't  go  near  it  for  the 
Avorld !  Oh,  I  forgot  1  You  can't,  anyway,  'cause  it's 
fastened  underneath." 

"  So,  tluMi,  there's  nothing  to  he  done  hut  to  sit  here  and 
wait  till  they  think  proi)er  to  come  and  finish  me,"  said 
the  young  man,  rising  and  walking  up  and  down  the  room 
— "a  miglity  pleasant  prospect,  upon  my  word  !  I  might 
as  well  deliver  my  last  will  and  testtiment,  veritahly  at 
onc(»,  to  this  queer  little  damsel,  and  then  devote  the  re- 
mainder of  the  time  to  preparing  for  heaven,  or — the 
otluM-  place  1  I  say,  my  little  friend,  I  wonder  they  are  so 
imprudent  as  to  allow  you  to  know  about  these  blood- 
chilling  things,  or  to  be  in  the  room  with  them  while  they 
are  plotting  their  hellish  designs !  " 

"  Well,  they  woiddn't  either ;  only  the  last  time  the 
man  screamed  out,  and  I  heard  him  and  came  in.  It 
was  in  this  room,  too,"  said  the  child,  sinking  her  voice 
to  a  whisper,  and  casting  a  terrified  glance  around ;  "  and 
he  was  on  that  bed,  and  old  Grizzle  had  him  by  the  hands  ; 
and  Blaize  by  the  feet ;  and  they  kept  him  down,  and  his 
face  and  nee'  were  all  covered  with  blood,  and  he 
screamed  out — oli,  dreadfully  ! — until  Kit  held  the  pillow 
over  iiis  face,  and  when  he  took  it  away,  he  was  as  still — 
oh,  as  still  as  anything  I  And  then  " — and  Oriole's  voice 
sunk  lower  and  lower,  and  she  shivered  convulsively — 
"they  put  him  down  cellar  and  he's  been  there  ever 
since !  " 

A  slight  shudder  passed  through  the  form  of  the  young 
stranger,  and  a  look  of  horror  and  loathing  swept  over  his 
fine  face. 

"  Heavens  above !  what  a  sight  for  a  child  ?  What  a 
sight  for  any  one  in  a  Christian  country  ?  What  did  they 
say  to  you  for  coming,  my  dear  child  ?  " 

"  Oh  !  Blaize  would  have  killed  me,  only  she  wouldn't 
let  him ;  but  she  beat  me  dreadfully,"  said  Oriole,  wincing 
at  the  recollection.  "  And  she  said  if  ever  I  told  any  one, 
she  would  put  me  down  cellar  along  with  him.  I  never 
did  tell  any  one  either,  till  you  come ;  and  T  shouldn't  have 
told  you,  only  they  were  going  to  put  you  down  cellar  too. 


iU 


AN  ESCAPE. 


35 


Don't  you  tell  her,  mind — you  said  you  wouldn't,  you 
know?" 

"  Neitlier  shall  T — don't  fear.  And  so,  as  yon  know  of 
the  other  nuirder,  they  didn't  mind  your  In-ing  in  tin;  nnnu 
and  lu^aring  of  thisV" 

"  No,"  said  Oriole  ;  "  Ihey  thought  1  would  not  tell,  you 
know,  'cause  it's  a  g(xxl  long  while  since  then,  and  I 
never  did  tell  nol)ody." 

"  And  why  is  it  that  I  am  to  be  *  put  down  cellar,'  as 
you  call  it,  sin(;e  they  have  let  others  escape  V  " 

" Oh  !' cause  you've  got  money — old  Oii///l(»  says  so — 
and  a  nice  watcli  and  lots  of  things  ;  and  sli<^  wants  'em. 
If  I  was  you,  I'd  give  them  to  h(ir,an(l  tell  her  I  wouldn't 
tell  anybody.  They  won't  be  any  good  to  you,  you  know, 
if  you  are  killed." 

"That's  true  enough,"  said  the  young  man,  with  a  mo- 
mentary smile.  "  But  sujiposing  I  neither  let  them  kill 
me,  nor  give  them  the  watch — eh  ?  How  would  that  l)e, 
Orrie?  If  it  comes  to  killing,  I  rather  fancy  they  will 
find  two  can  play  at  that  game." 

"  But  there's  four  of  them,  and  you  can't  kill  four," 
said  Orrie,  with  a  jtuzzled  look. 

"  LkXrge  odds  ;  but  I've  fought  against  as  many  before 
now.  I  didn't  live  in  a  certain  green  island  of  the  west, 
as  aid-de-camp  to  His  Grace  the  Lord  Tiieutenant  for  three 
years,  without  getting  into  a  shindy  now  and  then — thank 
fortune  ! "  said  the  young  Englishman,  speaking  more  to 
himself  than  Orrie. 

"  And  so  you're  going  to  kill  them  ?  "  said  Orrie,  with 
simplicity. 

"  I  shall  make  the  attempt,  my  young  friend  ;  and  if  I 
fail — why  there  will  only  be  a  scrapegrace  the  less  in  the 
world.  But  see  here,  my  good  little  girl,"  he  said,  stop- 
ping before  her,  and  lifting  the  tangled  hair  off  her 
small,  gipsyish  face,  "what  will  they  say  to  you,  wIk^u 
they  find  you  here?  They  will  half  kill  you,  won't 
they  ?  " 

"  Oh  yes  !  I  forgot,"  said  the  child,  starting  up  in  terror. 
"I  must  go.  T  can't  stay,  you  know.  Old  Grizzle,  no 
doubt,  thinks  T  have  gone  to  bed ;  and  if  she  were  to  catch 
me  here,  she — " 


n 


36 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


"  Would  put  you  down  cellar,"  said  the  young  man, 
with  a  «niile. 

"  Yes,"  said  Orrie,  moving  (piickly  toward  the  door. 

Hut  at  that  instant,  a  suddc^n  noise,  startling  enough, 
arrested  her  steps,  and  sent  her  young  l)lood  curdling  to 
her  heart. 

It  was  the  hushed  sonnd  of  footstejis  l)elow,  and  a  sud- 
den noise,  jis  if  some  one  had  stumbled,  followed  by  a 
fierce,  sup^jressed  oath  ;  and  then  there  was  an  instant's 
deathlike  silence. 

As  if  frozen  where  she  stood,  the  child,  Orrie,  paused, 
her  great  black  eyes  wild  and  dilating,  her  lips  springing, 
white  and  (piivering,  apart,  her  small  hands  involuntarily 
clenching  until  the  sharp  nails  sunk  in  the  (piivering  flesh, 
her  very  breathing  suspended,  until  it  became  painful  to 
listen  for  its  return.  Not  the  faintest  sound  escaped  her : 
she  stood  as  if  turned  to  stone. 

Making  a  hasty  motion  for  her  to  be  silent,  the  young 
man  seized  a  pistol  in  either  hand,  and  fixed  his  eyes 
steadily  on  the  trap-door,  his  handsome  face  set  stern  and 
resolute,  his  eye  bright,  bold  and  dauntless,  his  pulse  calm 
and  steady. 

There  seemed  a  momentary  pause  below,  in  which  noth- 
ing was  to  1)6  heard  but  the  beating  and  dashing  of  the 
storm  without ;  and  then  there  came  the  near  sound  of 
bolts  cautiously  withdra^ving  beneath. 

The  young  stranger  grasped  his  pi'itol  tighter,  and 
sighted  it,  with  deadly  accuracy  for  the  trap.  One  moment 
more,  and  one  at  least  of  these  midnight  assassins  would 
have  got  his  due  ;  but  Fate,  or  Providence,  or  the  brave 
young  Englishman's  guardian  angel  willed  it  otherwise  ; 
for,  at  that  moment,  in  the  very  crisis  of  affairs,  a  most 
unlooked-for  interruption  occurred. 

A  loud  and  violent  knock — a  knock  that  shook  the  whole 
house  from  attic  to  cellar — resounded  on  the  front  door 

There  was  a  quick,  startled  ejaculation  from  below, 
and  the  bolt  was  hurriedly  shot  back. 

A  faint,  repressed  cry  broke  from  the  lips  of  Orrie  ;  and 
the  young  man  lowered  his  weapon,  and  looked  at  her  in 
wonder. 

Again  the  knock  was  repeated,  louder  and  longer  than 


AN  ESCAPE. 


37 


before,  until  tlie  house  echoed  ami  reverberated  witli  the 
thundering  noise. 

The  stranger  bent  his  head  and  listened  intently  ;  and, 
with  hearing  sharpened  by  exeitenu^nt,  heard  the  sound 
of  H'treating  feet  briow;  and  then,  for  an  instant  or  two, 
all  was  perfectly  still.  liut  only  for  an  instant;  then  the 
belated  wayfarer  without,  whoever  it  might  be,  evidently 
determined  to  be  heard  if  the  door  held  out,  raised  an- 
other u[>roari()Us  knock,  aeeom})anied  by  a  shout  that 
could  be  even  heard  in  that  upper  room  : 

"Hallo!  within  there!  Openthedoor — will  you? — and 
dcm't  keep  a  fellow  here  in  the  storm  all  night  I  " 

"Oh,  it's  Frank  T)e  Vere— it's  Frank  J)e  Vere  !  "  said 
Orrie,  springing  forward  with  a  joyful  cry.  "That's  him, 
I  know.  Nobody  else  ever  makes  such  a  noise  as  he  does. 
Oh,  you're  all  safe  now — just  as  safe  as  can  be  I  They 
won't  touch  you  while  Frank  De  Vere  stays!" 

"Well,  it's  ]>lcasant  to  know  even  that.  But  who  is 
Frank  J)e  Vere  ?     Not  one  of  the  De  Veres  of  Fontelle  ?  " 

"  Yes  ;  he  comes  from  Fontelle — a  beautiful  place.  Oh, 
I'm  so  glad  !  "  exclaimed  Orrie. 

"  Tpon  my  life,  I  have  had  a  night  of  it !  "  said  the 
young  man,  flinging  himself  into  a  chair,  and  pushing  back 
carelessly  his  fair,  brown  hair.  "  First  horsewhipping  an 
insolent  Yankee,  and  encountering  a  real  fairy  prince  for 
beauty,  and  then  falling  into  tlie  hands  of  the  Phil- 
istines ;  and  first  meeting  a  witch,  and  then  this  little 
kelpie  ;  and,  when  about  to  be  assassinated  in  cold  blood, 
Mv.  Frank  De  Vere  thinks  proper  to  come  along  at  the 
eleventh  hour  and  save  my  life.  'Pon  my  honor,  it's 
exactly  like  a  scene  in  a  play,  where  everybody  is 
saved  in  the  most  unexpected  way,  just  when  the  knife  is 
at  their  throat,  by  everybody  else.  Well,  luck'.<  every 
thing — no  mistake  about  it,  as  I  have  abundantly  proved 
by  all  my  narrow  escapes  by  flood  and  field  for  the  last 
four-and-twenty  years.  What,  Flibbertigibbet !  off,  are 
you  ?    Where  away  now  ?  " 

"  I'm  going  down  to  see  Frank,"  said  Oriole.  "  I  like 
him." 

"  Oh,  you  do — do  you  ?  What  a  beautiful  virtue  frank- 
ness is  to  be  sure,  and  how  nicely  girls  get  over  it,  once 


'I  i'^ 

:         I 


^il. 


38 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


they  are  emancipated  from  pantalettes.  1  don't  know  but 
what  it  would  be  right  for  me  to  go  and  see  Frank,  too. 
Solitude's  a  very  fine  thing  in  its  way  ;  but  there  is  such 
a  possibility  as  liaving  too  much  of  a  good  thing ;  and  this 
is  not  v^xactly  the  place  where  one  would  fancy  their  own 
thoughts  for  companions  either,  right  over  the  grave  of  a 
murdered  man.  VVlio  knows  but  I  may  discover  in  Frank 
a  cousin  of  mine,  too  ?  It's  worth  going  to  see  about  at 
all  events.     So  here  goes !  " 

He  rose,  as  he  spoke,  and  passed  from  the  room — Orrie 
having  already  gone. 

As  he  descended  the  stairs,  he  heard  somebody  bluster- 
ing in  like  the  god  of  the  wind  ;  and  then  a  cheery,  boyish 
voice  exclaiming,  as  its  owner  stamped  and  shook  the  rain 
off  himself : 

"  Blow  ye  winds,  and  crack  your  cheeks  !  Poor  Frank's 
a- cold!  I  say.  Mother  Grizzle,  why  didn't  you  let  me  in 
when  I  knocked  first,  and  not  keep  me  here  in  the  rain 
till  I'm  a  sight  to  see,  not  to  hear  of  ?  What  with  mud 
and  rain,  I'm  a  picture  to  look  at — ain't  I?  Talk  about 
drowned  rats !  If  you  want  to  see  one,  just  cast  your 
eyes  on  me,  my  friends  I  Hallo,  little  black-eyes !  How 
d'ye  do  ?  No ;  don't  come  near  me  I  I'm  a  living  cataract 
— worse  than  Undine's  uncle,  and  he  was  a  cross  between 
a  man  and  a  river !  But  I  forgot  you  don't  know  German ; 
so  it's  not  likely  you  ever  heard  of  the  gent.  Get  us  some- 
thing to  eat.  Grizzle.  Haven't  had  a  blessed  mouthful 
since  early  morning,  as  I'm  a  smner  I  Where's  Kit,  and 
Blaize,  and  Old  Till  these  times?" 

"  They  ain't  home,"  said  the  voice  of  the  woman,  Grizzle, 
in  surly  tones,  as  she  stiffly  moved  through  the  room. 
"  Orrie,  get  out  of  that,  and  go  to  bed.  You  ought  to  have 
been  there  long  ago." 

"  I'd  rather  sit  up,"  said  Orrie,  sharply. 

*'  Oh,  let  little  bright-eyes  stay,"  said  the  new-comer. 
"I  i'ke  to  look  at  her.  Many  customers  stopped  here 
lately,  Grizzle  ?  " 

"  No,"  said  Grizzle,  curtly.  "  Who'd  stop  here  when 
they  could  go  on  ?  " 

"  Ah,  that's  true  enough  !  "  said  the  boy  ;  "  it's  not  the 
most  enchanting-looking  bower  of  repose  I  ever  saw,  and 


AN  ESCAPE. 


39 


the  public  generally  are  not  likely  to  be  captivated  by  it. 
But  a  storm-stayed  ti-aveler  might  drop  in  now  and  then 
— on  the  principle  of  half  a  loaf  being  better  than  no 
bread." 

"  How  did  you  come  to  be  caught  in  the  storm  at  this 
hour  of  the  night,  ^faster  Frank  ?  "  said  the  woman,  rat- 
tling dishes  on  the  table. 

"  Well,  I  am  on  my  way  home  from  New  York ;  and,  as 
I  was  in  a  hurry,  I  thought  the  storm  wouldn't  amount  to 
much,  and  that  I  could  ride  tlirough  it,  until  Igot  to  Fon- 
telle  ;  but  I  found  my  mistake  before  long,  and  would  have 
stopped  at  the  Mermaid  all  night,  only  I  knew  it  would 
l)e  impossible  to  awake  old  Bob  Rowlie  ;  so  I  just  rode  on 
till  I  came  here.  And  here  I  am — what's  left  of  me,  I 
mean ;  for  I  got  more  than  half- washed  away  by  the 
rain ! " 

"  What  took  you  to  New  York  now  ?  "  said  the  woman. 
"  There,  sit  down,  and  take  your  supper,  if  you  want  it.'* 

"  Oh,  Jack  sent  me  of  course.  I'm  ordered  about,  up 
there,  as  if  I  wasn't  of  the  slightest  consequence  to  any- 
body. Deuce  take  Jack,  I  say  !  "  exclaimed  Master  Frank, 
with  his  mouth  full. 

"  Amen  I "  said  a  voice,  that  made  the  woman  start  and 
the  youth  jump  up  from  his  chair. 

And  the  next  moment  the  young  stranger  pushed  open 
the  door  at  the  foot  of  the  stairs,  and  coolly  walked  in. 

The  keen,  piercing,  hawk-like  eye  of  the  woman  was 
bent  upon  him  for  an  instant ;  but  his  face  expressed  noth- 
ing but  its  usual  careless  sang  froid  as  he  met  her  gaze, 
and  then  glanced,  with  easy  indifference,  at  Master  Frank 
— a  bright-eyed,  fair-haired,  fresh-faced  lad  of  sixteen  or 
eighteen. 

"  The  noise  at  the  door  aroused  me,"  he  said,  as  if  in  ex- 
planation, "  and  not  feeling  like  sleeping,  and  my  fire  hav- 
ing gone  out,  I  thought  I  would  come  down  here.  I  hope 
I  have  not  startled  you." 

"  Startled  me  ! "  said  the  youth,  slowdy  returning  to  his 
foimer  occupation,  "  you've  scared  me  out  of  a  year's 
growth — shattered   my   nervous  system  all   to  smash ! " 

"  Very  sorry  to  hear  it,"  said  the  stranger,  in  his  care- 
less way ;  "  but  your  prayer  for  Jack,  whoever  he  may  be, 


!  h 


* 
^i"-'.i 


40 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


seemed  so  heartfelt  that,  as  a  pious  Christian — which  I 
flatter  myself  I  am — I  could  not  help  responding  to  it.  I 
think  I  heard  you  mention  Fon telle  as  I  came  down- stairs. 
Do  you  know  the  family  there  ?  " 

"  Well,  I  should  think  I  did — rather  !  "  said  Frank, 
with  emphasis ;  "  more  especially  as  I  generally  pitch  my 
tent  there  myself  when  I'm  at  home." 

"  What,  are  you  a  De  Vere  ?  " 

"Well,  I'm  commonly  called  that,  for  want  of  a  better 
name  I  suppose.  But,  what  do  you  know  about  the  De 
Veres  ?  "  continued  Master  Frank. 

"  Well,  I  believe  I  claim  kindred  with  the  family,"  said 
the  careless  stranger.  "  My  name  is  Disbrowe,  the  Hon- 
orable Alfred  Disbrowe,  more  commonly  known  as  Cap- 
tain Disbrowe,  of  His  Most  Gracious  Majesty's  Horse 
Guards."  . 

"  Hey ! "  said  Master  Frank,  dropping  his  knife  and 
fork,  and  staring  at  the  young  and  handsome  gentleman, 
"  it  ain't  possible,  is  it  ?  " 

The  stranger  smiled,  and  bowed  slightly. 

"  And  you're  the  Honorable  Alfred  Disbrowe,  brother 
of  Lord  Earnecliffe  !  "  exclaimed  the  boy. 

"  And  nephew  of  Robert  De  Vere,  Esq.,  of  Fontelle  ? 
Yes,  I  have  that  honor,"  said  the  stranger. 

Fp  sprung  Frank  from  his  seat ;  and  darting  over,  he 
caught  the  young  Englishman's  hand  and  shook  it  heartily, 
saying,  with  a  delighted  shout : 

"  Hooray !  if  this  ain't  an  uncommon  streak  of  good 
luck,  my  name's  not  Frank  !  Good  gracious !  just  to  think 
of  it !  Why,  it's  the  most  unexpected  and  knock-down 
rencontre  that  ever  anybody  heard  of  since  they  were 
born  I "  said  Frank,  shaking  the  Honorable  Alfred's  hand, 
as  if  it  had  been  a  pump-handle,  in  his  surprise  and 
delight. 


•  —fc-  t>.iim^,'  f^m  ■ 


FONTEI.I.K. 


41 


CHAPTER  IV. 


m 


FOXTELLE.  , 

"  It  was  a  sandy  level  wherein  stood 

This  old  and  lonesome  house.     Far  as  the  eye 

Could  measure,  on  the  green  back  of  the  wood 
The  smoke  lay  always  low  and  lazily. 

**  But  from  the  rock,  rough-grained  and  icy-crowned, 
Some  little  flowers  from  out  some  cleft  will  rise, 
And  in  this  quiet  land  my  love  I  found, 

With  all  their  soft  light  sleeping  in  her  eyes." 

—Alice  Gary. 

The  young  Englishman  glanced  toward  his  slightly  un- 
courteous  hostess,  to  see  what  effect  this  announcement 
had  on  her ;  and  saw  her  standing,  looking  steadily  into 
the  fire,  mth  the  strangest  expression  of  mingled  triumph, 
delight  and  exultation,  added  to  another  inexplicable  look 
— as  if  a  demoniacal  prospect  of  some  sort  had  suddenly 
been  opened  before  her.  Pier  evil  face  had  so  strange  a 
fascination  for  Lim  at  that  moment,  that,  unheeding  Frank 
De  Vere's  boisterous  greeting,  ho  kept  his  eyes  on  her, 
and  asked : 

"  What  picture  do  you  see  in  the  fire,  my  worthy  hos- 
tess, that  seems  so  strongly  to  rivet  your  attention  ?  " 

She  looked  up,  and  met  his  gaze  with  a  dark  and  most 
sinister  smile. 

"  One  that  you  will  see,  I  hope — I  believe — some  day,  in 
real  life,  young  sir,"  she  replied,  transfixing  him  ^vith  her 
basilisk  eyes. 

"  Indeed  !  and  what  may  it  be,  pray  ?  " 

"  I  saw,"  said  the  woman,  pointing  to  the  glowing  coals, 
"  a  pit  there,  so  black,  so  bottomless,  that,  if  it  opened 
visibly  before  you  now,  you  would  shrink  and  recoil  from 
it  in  horror. 

"  Possible  ! "  said  the  young  man,  in  his  careless  tone. 
**  Well,  and  what  of  it  ?    Did  you  see  nothing  else  ?  " 


m 


!      I 


42 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


"  You — you  were  at  the  bottom  of  it  ! " 

"  Oh,  was  I  ?  And  you  hope  that  it  may  come  true 
some  day — do  you  ?  Of  course  I  am  mightily  obliged  to 
you;  but,  at  the  same  time,  I'd  rather  be  excused." 

"  But  you  were  not  alone,"  persisted  the  woman,  as  if 
he  had  not  spoken. 

"  Indeed  ?  Well,  it  is  pleasant  to  know  even  that. 
Who  had  the  atrocious  taste  to  accompany  me  there,  my 
dear  madam  ?  " 

"  I  saw,"  said  the  old  woman,  folding  her  arms,  and 
looking  full  in  his  careless,  handsome  face  with  her 
sinister  smile,  "  I  saw  some  one  falling  do^vn,  and  down, 
and  down  into  that  dark  and  loathsome  gulf  ;  and  lie, 
fallen  and  degraded  in  their  scornful  pride,  in  the  very 
slime  at  your  feet,  spurned  alike  by  God  and  man,  and  that 
one  was — " 

"  Well,"  said  the  young  man,  startled  a  little  from  his 
nonchalant  manner  by  the  suppressed  passion  that 
throbbed  like  a  rising  tide  in  her  face  and  voice. 

"  Jack  De  Yere  !  "  she  said,  raising  her  voice  almost  to 
a  shriek,  as,  with  a  last  malignant  glance,  she  turned  to 
leave  the  room. 

"  Don't  mind  her.  Captain  Disbrowe !  "  exclaimed 
Frank,  indignantly  ;  "  she's  crazy  one-half  her  time,  and 
not  very  sensible  the  rest.  Nobody  minds  what  old 
Grizzle  Howlet  says." 

"  Who  is  this  Jack  De  Yere,  on  whose  destiny  I  am  to 
have  so  dismal  an  effect  ?  "  inquired  the  soldier,  resuming 
his  indifferent  manner. 

«*  Oh,  a  cousin  of  ours,  of  course ;  one  of  the  De  Yeres 
of  Fontelle."  - 

.  "  Is  he  at  Fontelle  now  ?  " 

Frank  nodded  and  laughed,  and  the  laugh  was  shrilly 
echoed  by  the  elfish  sprite,  Orrie,  who  still  crouched  in 
the  chimney  corner. 

"Then  I  shall  see  him  to-morrow?" 

"  Yes  ;  you'll  see  him  to-morrow,"  said  Frank,  still 
laughing,  and  seeming  immensely  tickled  by  some  in- 
ward feeling. 

«  What  are  you  laughing  at  ?  "  said  Captain  Disbrowe, 
with  a  puzzled  look. 


FONTELLE. 


43 


Frank  opened  his  mouth  to  protest  he  never  was  more 
serious  in  his  iiie,  but  in  the  effort  another  roar  escaped 
him. 

"  Well,  this  is  rather  droll,"  said  the  young  Englishman, 
"laughing  over  such  a  solemn  matter  as  the  extinguishing 
of  Mv.  Jack  I)e  Vere  and  Captain  Alfred  Disbrowe, 
•\vhen — " 

"  Orrie  ! "  called  the  harsh  voice  of  Mother  Grizzle  at 
this  moment,  "  get  up  and  go  to  l)ed." 

"  I  don't  feel  sleepy,  and  don't  want  to  go,"  said  Orrie, 
settling  herself  closer  i'  to  the  corner. 

With  the  ringing  tre;id  of  a  dragoon,  the  old  woman 
marched  in  and  approached  her  ;  but,  seeing  her  intention. 
Miss  Oriole  thought  discretion  the  better  part  of  valor, 
and  springing  up,  darted  away,  and  was  up  the  stairs  in 
a  twinkling. 

"  I  should  like  to  know  if  you  two  mean  to  go  to  bed  to- 
night ?  "  said  the  Vv'oman,  snappishly.  "  I  can't  sit  up  here 
till  morning,  waiting  till  you  get  done  talking." 

*«  Well,  go  to  bed,  then !  "  said  Frank.  "  Nobody  asked 
you  to  sit  up." 

iVlerely  regarding  Frank  with  a  contemptuous  glance, 
the  woman  turned,  sternly,  to  Captain  Disbrowe  : 

"  Are  you  going  to  your  room,  sir,  or  are  you  going  to 
stay  here  ?  " 

"  That's  a  question  I  can't  take  it  upon  myself  to  an- 
swer on  so  short  a  notice,  madam,"  said  the  young  man, 
running  his  fingers  through  his  glossy  dark  locks  ;  "  but 
don't  put  yourself  out  on  my  account,  I  beg.  Allow  me 
to  insinuate  that  you  had  better  retire  to  rest  yourself,  as 
it  is  considerably  late,  and  time  all  honest  folks  were  in 
bed." 

"  Oh,  well,  she  needn't  hurry  for  that,  as  it  cion't  apply 
to  her  case  in  the  least,"  said  Frank,  flippantly. 

A  darker  scowl  even  than  usual  settled  on  the  lowering 
brow  of  old  Grizzle ;  but,  without  a  word,  she  walked 
silently  and  sulkily  from  the  room. 

"  She's  a  pleasant  hostess,  she  is,"  remarked  Frank,  look- 
ing after  her,  "  and  the  sort  of  a  woman  a  man  would  like 
to  marry,  I  don't  think.  I  hope  you  won't  judge  all  our 
American  ladies  by  the  two  specimens  you  have  just  seen. 


m 

i  ''I 


•» 


1^  1' 


i    lis. 


r  •  f ' 


1  1  ' 

I    i  ij 

i 

I 


1  I 


\ 


^4 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


We  have  some  tolerable  good-looking  females  among 
them,  as  I  will  show  you  wlion  we  reach  Fontelle." 

"  That  child,  Orrie,  might  grow  up  a  handsome  girl  yet,'* 
said  Captain  Disbrowe. 

"  Slie  mif/ht.  The  moon  might  be  made  of  green  cheese, 
for  all  we  know." 

"  She  has  handsome  eyes.'' 

"  Yes  ;  so  has  a  toad." 

"  Come,  now,  my  cynical  young  friend,"  said  the  young 
Englishman,  laughing,  "  if  she  were  properly  cared  for,  she 
might  grow  up  a  fine-looking  girl." 

"  If — if  !  "  said  Frank,  contemptuously.  "  If  the  sky 
falls  we  may  catch  larks.  She'll  have  to  be  born  again 
before  you  can  make  anything  of  that  little  tawny  kel- 
pie, but  a  weird,  witch-like,  old-fashioned  little  goblin. 
I  believe  in  my  soul  there  is  something  uncanny  about 
that  same  little  hornet ;  and  I  n<3ver  see  her  black  eyes 
shining  on  me  in  the  dark,  without  feeling  inclined  to  take 
to  my  heels  and  run  as  if  Old  Nick  was  after  me." 

« What  is  she  to  that  pleasant-spoken  old  lady,  our 
hostess  ?    Her  grandchild  ?  " 

"  Her  grandchild  ?  No ;  old  Grizzle  only  has  two  sons 
— Kit  and  Blaize — a  precious  pair  of  hang-dog  scoundrels, 
both  of  'em  !  and  neither  of  them  are  married  nor  likely 
to  be.  I  don't  know  what  Orrie  is  to  her ;  but  she  has 
always  lived  with  old  Mother  Ghastly  as  long  as  I  can  re- 
member, and  always  was  the  same  queer  little  wasp  she 
is  to  this  day.  I  expect  she  found  her  under  a  toadstool, 
or  riding  on  a  rush-blade  over  from  Scotland,  or  dancing 
in  a  fairy  ring  some  bright  Hallow  Eve  night,  and  cap- 
tured her." 

"  Shouldn't  wonder.  I  should  like  to  know  something 
more  of  her,  though." 

«  Why,  you  haven't  fallen  in  love  with  her,  have  you  ?  " 
said  Frank.  •      • 

"  Not  exactly,"  said  Captain  Disbrowe,  with  a  slight 
laugh.  **  I  feel  an  interest  in  the  child,  though,  on  ac- 
count o^  a  little  service  she  did  me  this  evening,  and  be- 
cause I  think  something  might  be  made  of  her,  yet. 
Well,  let  her  go.  And  now,  about  Fontelle.  I  suppose 
they  received  Earnecliffe's  letter  ?  " 


FONTEI.LE. 


45 


«  Saying  you  were  coming  to  pay  us  a  visit — yes,"  said 
the  boy.  "  I  heard  Jack  and  Gus  talking  about  it,  and 
wondering  what  sort  of  an  individual  you  would  turn  out 
to  be." 

« Gus  ?  "  •     ■    ' 

«  Why,  yes —  Oh,  I  forgot  you  didn't  know.  I  mean 
cousin  Augusta — Lady  Augusta  De  Vere,  if  you  please." 

'''-Lady  Augusta?  I  thought  you  had  no  titles  over 
here." 

"  Haven't  we  ?  That's  all  you  know  about  it,  then. 
Why,  every  second  man  you  meet  is  a  colonel,  and  a 
general,  and  a  squire,  and  lots  of  other  things.  Uncle 
Iiob\s  a  squire — Squire  De  Vere,  you  know.  But  they  used 
to  call  her  Lady  Augusta  when  she  was  a  little  girl — she 
was  such  a  proud,  haughty  little  duchess ;  and  so  the 
name  stuck  to  her  ever  since." 

"  She  wouldn't  be  a  De  Vere  if  she  was  not  proud,' 
said  Disbrowe,  quietly. 

"  Oh,  wouldn't  she  ?  Well,  they  call  me  a  De  Vere,  and 
anybody  that  says  I'm  proud — why,  I  say  they're  mis- 
taken, to  draw  it  mild.  To  be  sure,  it's  not  my  name ; 
but  that's  neither  here  nor  there,  nor  anywhere  else,  for 
that  matter." 

"  Not  your  name  ?  "  said  Disbrowe,  with  a  stare. 

"No,  sir!"  said  Master  Frank,  emphatically.  "My 
name's  Stubbs — but  tell  it  not  in  Gath.  You  see,  the  way 
of  it  was,  my  mother  and  Squire  De  Vere's  Avife  were  sis- 
ters ;  and  when  father  and  mother  died,  and  I  went  to 
live  at  Fontelle,  everybody  took  to  calling  me  De  Vere. 
I  was  a  little  shaver,  then  ;  and  the  name's  stuck  to  me 
ever  since,  until,  sometimes,  I  don't  feel  quite  sure  but 
what  I  am  a  De  Vere.  after  all.  It's  an  awful  falling  cif 
to  come  down  from  that  pinnacle  of  high-and-mightydom 
to  plain  unromantic,  unvarnished  Stubbs ;  but  it's  the 
hard,  substantial  truth,  and  there's  no  dodging  it." 

Captain  Disbrowe  stroked  his  mustache,  and  laughed 
at  Frank's  rueful  face.  . 

" '  What's  in  a  name  ? '  as  Juliet  says.  '  A  rose,*  you 
know,  '  by  any  other  name  would  smell  as  sweet.'  " 

"  I  don't  believe  it.  Call  it  a  cabbage,  for  in:  tance,  and 
how  would  it  sound  ?    If  you  read  in  a  novel,  now,  that 


5     I 


I  ; 


I  %^ 


\ 


f  i 


11- 


! 


46 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


a  chap  presented  his  lady-love  with  a  cabbage,  as  an  emblem 
of  his  affection,  what  would  you  say  ?  Why,  that  he  was 
a  cabbage-head  himself.  Juliet  be  hanged !  "  said  Frank, 
in  a  tone  of  disgust.  "  She  was  in  love,  and  couldn't  be 
expected  to  be  in  her  proper  senses.  There's  a  great  deal 
in  a  name.  Her  lover  was  Romeo  Montague.  If  he 
had  l)een  Romeo  Stubbs,  I  wonder  how  she  would  have 
liked  it?" 

"  Well,  as  I  never  had  the  honor  of  the  young  lady's 
acquainttince,  I  cannot  take  it  upon  myself  to  answer  that 
question.  And  so  Lady  Augusta,  and  uncle  Rob,  and 
cousin  Jack,  cons' itute  tlie  family  at  Fon telle  Hall?  " 

"Yes,"  said  Frank,  slowly,  and  looking  in  the  fire: 
"they  do,  rather,  when  I'm  not  there ;  and  I'm  a  host  in 
myself.  I  hope  you  intend  making  us  a  long  visit,  Cap- 
tain Disln'owe  ?  " 

"  Perhaps — if  you  don't  tire  of  me  and  turn  me  out." 

"  I'll  risk  that !  Jack  will  like  you,  I  know,  and  Jack's 
word  is  law  at  Fontelle.  By  the  way,  though,  cousin 
Alfred — I  suppose  I  may  call  you  that — what  first  put  it 
into  your  head  to  honor  us  with  a  visi\  anyway  ?  " 

"  'Pon  my  honor,  that's  a  puzzle,  my  young  friend. 
I  don't  even  know  how  I  ever  discovered  there  was  such  a 
place  as  Americain  existence.  Oh,  come  to  think  of  it,  Ned 
Howard,  of  the  Guards,  told  me.  He  did  a  little  fighting 
here,  once  upon  a  time ;  and  as  I  got  tired  of  lounging 
about  the  Serpentine,  and  making  love  to  Lady  Janes  and 
Lady  Marys,  I  thought  I  would  try  the  Hudson,  by  way 
of  a  change.  And  so  Earnecliffe  informed  me  I  had  a  half- 
uncle,  or  something,  here,  and  wrote  to  him  to  let  him 
know  what  a  nice  youth  I  was,  and  to  warn  him  to  treat 
me  tenderly ;  and  I  obtained  unlimited  leave  of  absence, 
and  came,  and  saw,  and — no — yes,  I  did,  though  ! — I 
conquered  an  insolent  fellow  I  met  at  the  Mermaid  Inn." 

"How  was  that?    Who  was  he?" 

"  Not  acquainted  with  the  gentleman.  He  was  a  short, 
stout,  red-haired,  red-wliiskered  individual,  with  an  un- 
pleasant, not  to  say  ferocious,  expression  of  countenance, 
and  an  air  generally  that  looked  like  a  cross  between  a 
sailor  and  a  hangman." 

"  Why,  it  must  have  been  Old  Nick.    Oh,  land  of  hope 


\ 


Are : 


j» 


FONTELLE. 


47 


and  blessed  promise  !  if  it  was  him,  you  had  b'dtter  look 
out  for  squalls." 

«  Ah  1  lie  was  ugly  enough  to  be  Old  Nick,  or  any- 
thing else  you  like ;  but  I  wasn't  aware  his  Satanic 
Majesty  took  visible  shape  and  sported  a  tarpaulin  hat 
here  in  tiiese  United  States." 

"  Oh,  I  mean  old  Nick  Tempest.  What  did  you  do  to 
him  V  " 

"  Gave  him  a  cut  of  my  horsewhip  in  the  face,  by  way 
of  a  slight  hint  to  be  moro  polite  to  strangers  in  future." 

"  Whew  I "  said  Frank  thrusting  his  hands  in  his 
pockets,  and  indulging  in  a  long,  wailing  whistle. 
"  Well,  then,  let  mo  tell  you,  you  h  made  an  inveter- 
ate and  deadly  enemy  for  life.  TI...1.  fellow's  worse  than 
a  Corsican — he  never  forgives  an  injury." 

"  Well,  there's  not  much  love  lost,  that's  one  comfort. 
Who  is  he,  anyway  ?  " 

"  Oh  1  the  captain  of  a  schooner,  and,  they  say,  a  buc- 
caneer," said  the  boy,  lowering  his  voice.  "  lie  has  been 
seen  cruising  round  the  coast,  and  it  is  more  than  sus- 
pected that  his  deeds  are  evil.  But  it  won't  do  to  speak 
of  that  subject  here." 

"And  why  not?" 

"  Oh,  well,  he's  thick  with  old  Grizzle,  and  hand-and- 
glove  with  her  two  precious  sons.  *  Birds  of  a  feather,' 
you  know,  and  so  on.    A  sweet  set,  the  whole  of  '  em !  " 

"  I  wonder  the  authorities  don't  look  after  him  ?  " 

"  The  authorities ! "  said  Frank,  contemptuously. 
"  With  his  fast  sailing  clipper,  he  can  snap  his  fingers  in 
the  faces  of  every  mother's  son  of  them,  and  ho's  wide 
awake,  I  tell  you.  Catch  a  weazel  asleep  ;  indeed  I  But 
I  feel  sleepy,  and  will  seek  a  little  virtuous  repose  in  the 
arms  of  Morpheus,  if  you  have  no  objection." 

"  Not  in  the  least,  and  I'll  copy  the  example  of  the  *  ^vise 
virgins '  in  the  parable,  and  watch." 

"  Why  don't  you  take  a  snooze  yourself  ?  "  said  Frank, 
settling  himself  in  his  chair,  thrusting  both  hands  in  his 
coat-pockets,  and  putting  on  a  resolute  expression  that 
bespoke  his  unflinching  determination  to  go  asleep,  in 
spite  of  all  obstacles. 

"  For  certain  good  reasons,  that  I  will  tell  you  to-mor- 


4    i 


ii'. 


K-  m 


48 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


I  I 


row,  which,  if  I  don't  mistake,  is  already  growing  gray  in 
the  east.  Asleep  so  soon  ?  "  said  the  young  man,  glancing 
at  Frank,  who  had  dropped  off  almost  insttintly.  "  I  won- 
der if  he  knew  as  much  as  I  do  about  this  house,  whether 
he  would  sleep  so  easily  ?  Where  has  the  old  Jezebel 
spirited  off  the  men  to,  I  should  like  to  know  ?  " 

Drawing  closer  to  the  fire,  Captain  Disbrowe  set  himself 
to  watch  until  morning ;  but,  insensibly  overcome  by 
drowsiness  and  fatigue,  he  dropped  fast  asleep  in  ten 
minutes,  and  slept  soundly — so  soundly  that  he  did  not, 
two  hours  later,  hear  the  door  opened,  nor  the  noiseless 
entrance  of  old  Grizzle  Ilowlet.  Softly  she  crossed  the 
room  on  tip-toe,  and  bent  over  him,  and  gazed  intently 
as  he  lay  with  his  head  resting  easily  on  his  arm,  and  his 
handsome  face  plainly  revealed  in  the  gray  morning  light. 
Liglitly  she  lifted  the  clustering  waves  of  his  bright 
bro^vn  hair  from  his  forehead,  and  peered  closer  and  closer 
in  his  face — the  old  sinister  smile  gradually  breaking  over 
her  lips.  Did  she  read  in  that  fine  and  aristocratic-look- 
ing countenance  a  tale  of  haughty  pride,  but,  slightly 
vailed  under  the  careless  levity  of  his  waking  manner  ? — 
a  tale  of  dauntless  daring  and  high  ambition,  that  would 
spurn  every  obstacle  as  so  many  worms  in  his  path,  un- 
til the  goal  of  his  hopes  were  won  ?  Something  of  that 
she  must  have  read,  if  she  were  skilled  in  reading  the 
"  human  face  divine  " — for  all  were  legible  in  that  hand- 
some face  in  its  repose. 

Suddenly  he  moved  restlessly,  and  murmured  some- 
thing in  his  sleep.  The  woman  bent  down  to  hear,  but 
she  could  only  catch  the  words ;  "  When  I  come  back. 
Norma." 

"When  you  come  back.  Norma  1 "  said  Grizzle,  rising, 
with  her  evil  smile,  and  looking  down  upon  the  sleeper. 
"  Will  you  ever  come  back  to  Norma,  whoever  she  may 
be  ?  Oh,  Jack  De  Vere  !  God  grant  the  day  may  soon 
come — when  I  can  see  your  high  pride  laid  low,  and  your 
haughty  head  under  the  heel  of  this  gay,  proud  English- 
man, with  his  fair,  young  face  and  scornful  heart  1 — and 
may  Heaven  send  the  day  soon  when  I  can  repay  you  a 
thousandfold  for  all  your  taunts,  and  gibes,  and  mockery  ! " 

She  struck  her  clenched  hand  on  her  breast,  as  if  she 


^4 


FONTELLE. 


49 


»> 


could  have  beaten  down  a  lion,  and  her  face  was  livid  with 
the  raging  passion  throbbing  in  it,  yet  forcibly  held  back. 

"  Hallo !  old  Mother  Hubbard !  what  are  you  up  to 
now?"  said  the  voice  of  Frank,  as  he  got  up  suddenly, 
with  a  yawn,  and  shook  himself.  "  Hurry  up  breakfast 
— will  you?  I  shall  have  to  make  tracks  for  Fon telle  in 
double-quick  time  this  morning,  or  Jack  will  be  in  my 
wool.  Let's  have  alcK)k  at  the  weather,"  said  he,  going  to 
the  window  and  looking  out,  while  old  Grizzle  silently 
busied  herself  in  kindling  a  fire. 

"  Well,  what  is  your  opinion  of  the  weather,  my  good 
cousin?"  said  Captain  Disbrowe,  awakened  by  his  voice. 
"  Is  it  snow,  rain,  hail,  or  lightning,  or  a  mixture  of  all  ? 

"  Xone  of  '  em,"  said  Frank  ;  "  going  to  be  a  splendid 
day,  after  the  storm.  The  weather  here  in  New  Jersey, 
you  see,"  continued  Frank,  with  a  touch  of  philosophy, 
"  is  uncommonly  like  the  female  sex ;  mostly  always  con- 
trary, and  doing  what  nobody  expects  it  to — all  smiles  one 
minute,  and  all  sulks  the  next.  That's  the  way  with 
you  lovely  women,  ain't  it.  Grizzle  ?  "  said  IVfaster  Frank, 
winking  at  Dislu'owe,  to  intimate  that  the  latter  part  of 
his  speech  might  be  considered  playfully  ironical. 

Grizzle  favored  him  with  a  glance  of  withering  con- 
tempt, and  went  steadily  and  silently  on,  preparing  break- 
fast, which  was  soon  ready,  and  sooner  dii^patched.  Then 
little  Orrie  brought  round  their  horses,  while  the  young 
Englishman  settled  his  bill  v/itli  the  hostess. 

"  And  now,  madam,"  he  said,  fixing  his  eyes  keenly  and 
significantly  on  her  face,  "  before  I  bid  you  good- morning, 
allow  me  to  thank  you  for  your  and  your  three  friends  '* 
kind  mtentions  towards  me  last  night ;  and  to  advise  you, 
when  you  next  hold  a  secret  conference  round  the  fire,  to 
be  sure  the  door  at  the  foot  of  .he  stairs  is  shut.  Good- 
morning,  madame."  And  with  a  slight  and  peculiarly 
graceful  bow  and  smile,  he  passed  from  the  house.  No*: 
a  muscle  of  the  woman's  lace  moved,  not  the  slightest  start 
or  sign  of  guilt  did  she  betray,  but  with  a  muttered 
"  Humph  ! "  she  folded  her  arms  and  looked  after  them 
until  they  were  out  of  sight. 

"  What  did  you  mean  by  that  ?  "  said  Frank,  as  they 
rode  rapidly  along. 


H-] 


'  S 


}    ■ 


k' 


:i: 


i  I 


l^' 


50 


THE  DARK  SKCRET. 


"  Never  mind,  now,"  said  Dishrowe  ;  "  I  shall  tell  you 
all  iil)out  it  some  other  time,  for  talking  at  this  sharp 
pace  I  don't  admire." 

A  rapid  ride  of  nearly  five  hours,  through  forest  paths 
and  muddy  roads — eonsiderably  dift'enmt  from  wiiat  the 
same  route  is  to-day — brought  them,  at  last,  to  their 
journey's  end. 

"  Why  didn't  you  take  the  shorter  way,  over  the  moun 
tains?"  Disbro we  asked. 

"Oh  1  well,  for  vnrious  reasons — the  first  and  chief  of 
which  is,  that  I  would  rather  not  l)reak  my  neck  just  yet, 
if  the  public  generally  don't  object.  Mountain  gorges, 
and  chasms,  and  torrents,  and  steep,  slippery  paths,  where 
a  single  false  step  would  pitch  you  to  Kingdom  Come  in  a 
twinkling,  are  all  very  pleasant  to  read  about,  but  in  real 
life  I'd  just  as  soon  steer  clear  of  them.  Jack  always 
takes  the  mountains,  but  I  haven't  enough  of  the  dare- 
devil in  me  to  try  it,  I  must  confess  ;  and,  what's  more, 
I  ain't  at  all  ambitious  to  have,  either." 

"  This  Jack  appears  to  be  quite  a  hero,  m  his  way,  and 
I  feel  quite  anxious  to  know  him,"  said  Disbrowe. 

Again  Frank  laughed — a  peculiar,  meaning  laugh. 

"  Oh,  I  rather  guess  you  and  Jack  will  pull  pretty  well 
together,  if  you  are  only  moderately  careful  and  mind  your 
eye !  But  there's  Fontelle — is  it  anything  like  your 
English  home?" 

Disbrowe  looked  and  saw  a  large,  irregular,  cumbrous- 
looking  old  mansion  of  gray  stone,  that  seemed  to  have 
been  built  at  different  periods,  with  two  wings — the  one 
at  the  north  heavy  and  gloomy,  and  fashioned  after  some 
antique  style ;  while  the  southern  one  seemed  of  more 
modern  date  and  construction,  lighter,  airier,  and  more 
elegant.  Extensive  p.nd  handsome  grounds  surrounded  it, 
and  a  long,  winding  avenue  of  tall  maples  led  up  to  the 
front  door.  It  was  a  fine  old  mansion,  strongly  resem- 
bling the  old  manors  so  common  in  England. 

"  As  he  mimed  it  after  Fontelle  Park,  in  England,"  said 
Frank,  "  he  had  it  built,  you  see,  to  resemble  it  as  much  as 
possible.  Does  it  really  look  like  the  old  English  house 
of  the  De  Veres  ?  " 


"Very    much,"  said    Captain  Disbrowe,  in  evi 


JACK  DE  VERE. 


51 


pleasure  ;  "  very  much,  indeed.  It  only  wants  the  broad 
lawns,  and  glades,  and  the  great  park,  and  the  deer,  and 
the  'silver  sUir '  above  the  gate,  and  the  gate-keeper's 
lodge.     Do  you  know  the  '  silver  star,'  Master  Frank  V* 

"  Don't  I  ?"  said  Frank.  "  la  there  a  day  of  my  life  I 
don't  hear  of  tlie  'silver  star'  of  the  De  Veres?  Hasn't 
uncle  Rob  tlie  family  arms  emblazoned  in  the  drawing- 
room?— and  doesn't  the  'silver  stiir' shine  there  from 
year's  end  to  year's  end,  and  never  set?  Rut,  look  here  I 
if  tiiat  isn't  the  very  Jack  you  want  to  see !  Jack  I  Jack  I 
I  say  !  "  he  called,  raising  his  voice. 

Tie  galloped  on,  followed  by  Disbrowe,  until,  suddenly 
reining,  he  exclaimed,  in  a  voice  full  of  quiet  malice  and 
delight: 

"  Jack,  this  is  our  English  cousin.  Captain  Disbrowe, 
allow  me  to  make  you  acquainted  with  Jack  De  Vere." 

Captain  Disbrowe  looked  up,  and  sat  for  a  moment 
stock-still  with  surprise.  AVell  he  might !  he  was  not  the 
first  who  had  been  electi  illed  by  Jack  De  Vere  I 


CHAPTER  V. 


JACK  DE  VERE. 


-\ 


"A  thing  all  liglitness,  life  and  glee — 
One  of  the  shapes  we  seem 
To  see  in  visions  of  the  night, 
And  should  they  greet  our  waking  sight 
Imagine  that  we  dream." — Hill. 

Captain  Alfred  Disbrowe  had  raised  his  handsome 
eyes,  expecting  to  see  a  tall,  dashing,  whiskered.,  devil-may- 
care  six-footer ;  but  looking  up  he  saw  nothing !  until  he 
lowered  his  eyes,  and  lowered  them  again,  and  at  last  they 
alighted  on  a  coquettish  little  riding-hat,  perched  jauntily 
on  one  side  of  a  little  head,  some  four  feet  or  so  from  the 
ground. 

Captain  Disbrowe  started  and  stared ;  and  his  stare  was 
returned  by  the  brightest  and  clearest  pair  of  eyes  that 
ever  were  set  in  a  human  head — returned  with  compound 
interest,  too.  Jack  De  Vere  was  a  girl — a  small,  slight, 
delicate-looking  girl,  of  seemingly  not  more  than  sixteen, 


•  1 


. 


< 


i 


I! 

f 


■  % 


rri 


I  -I 


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:     1 


I      > 


52 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


and  most  elegantly  and  becomingly  dressed,  who,  after 
her  first  brief  scrutiny,  bowed  and  smiied,  and  held  out 
her  hand,  and  gracefully  welcomed  her  English  cousin 
to  Fontelle  Hall. 

It  was  seldom  the  self-possessed,  courteous  Captain  Dis- 
browe  was  at  a  loss ;  but  for  a  moment  he  was  rea>ly  so 
now,  and  as  he  mechanically  took  the  hand  she  offered,  he 
gazed  first  at  her  and  then  at  Frank,  so  evidently  non- 
plused, that  Frank,  who  happened  to  be  blessed  with  a 
lively  sense  of  the  ludicrous,  laughed  uproariously. 

"  Jack  De  Yere,"  he  repeated,  like  one  in  a  dream. 

The  young  lady  withdrew  her  hand  and  smiled. 

"  This  is  some  of  your  work.  Master  Frank,  with  your 
Jack  De  Yere !  My  name  is  Jacquetta,"  said  she,  turning 
to  Disbrowe,  "  which  they  have  the  barbarous  taste  to 
transform  into  Jack — thinking  I  suppose,  a  boy's  name 
suits  me  best.  Whether  they  are  right  or  not,  I  must 
leave  it  to  time  and  your  good  sense  to  decide." 

"  Oh !  beg  pardon !  I  see  it  all  now,"  said  Disbrowe ; 
and  the  next  instant  he  had  sprung  from  his  horse,  and 
stood  with  his  hat  off  before  her.  "  I  fear  I  have  appeared 
rather  rude ;  but  I  was  so  surprised  I  Allow  me  to  re- 
deem my  error,  and  salute  my  fair  cousin." 

And  taking  her  hand,  he  would  have  suited  the  action 
to  the  word ;  but  Miss  Jack  drew  back,  and  interposed 
the  other  hand  as  a  shield. 

"  Palm  to  palm  is  holy  palmer's  kiss,"  she  said,  coolly. 
*'  And  I,  as  a  staunch  Yankee  girl  and  patriot,  have,  *  vowed 
a  vow,'  ever  since  the  war,  of  eternal  enmit3^  against  all 
Englishmen.  So,  my  very  dear  cousin,  you  will  have  to 
admire  me  at  a  distance,  until  better  acquainted." 

"  Then  permit  me."  And  he  raised  her  hand  gallantly 
to  his  lips.  "  I  shall  try  to  induce  you  to  break  that 
cruel  vow  before  we  part.  The  sins  of  a  whole  nation 
should  not  be  visited  on  one  individual  head." 

Though  he  had  bent  over  the  hand  he  held  while  speak- 
ing he  had  been  looking  intently  in  her  face,  and  trying 
to  decide,  strange  as  it  may  seem,  whether  she  were  pretty 
or  plain. 

It  was  a  question  that  had  puzzled  others  before  him, 
and  countless  were  the  different  decisions  that  had  been 


pi  'I 


JACK  DE  VERE. 


55 


pronounced  on  the  matter.  He  saw  a  small,  bright,  ani- 
mated face,  full  of  energy,  daring  and  determination,  yet 
fair  and  delicate  as  a  tinted  rose-leaf  in  complexion.  Her 
eyes  were  large  and  intensely  bright,  and  of  the  deepest, 
darkest  gray,  sparkling  and  flashing  when  she  was  excited, 
until  they  seemed  of  midnight  blackness.  Her  round, 
white  polished  forehead,  and  small  erect  head,  were  beau- 
tifully shaped,  and  bespoke  a  strong,  energetic,  far-seeing 
brain  within.  Her  small,  rosy  mouth  would  have  been 
perfect,  but  for  the  half-mocking,  half-sarcastic  curl  of  the 
short  upper  lip,  whose  haughty  curve  bespoke  a  pride  as 
high  and  strong  as  his  own — in  a  different  way.  But  the 
look  of  half-mockery  seemed  the  prevailing  expression  of 
the  piquant,  sparkling  little  face,  whose  irregular  features 
owed  their  chief  beauty  to  their  constant  animation.  Her 
look  of  mingled  seriousness  and  mockery  it  was  that  so 
puzzled  and  half  annoyed  Disbrowe,  and  left  him,  as  it  did 
every  one  else,  at  a  loss  to  tell  whether  she  was  in  jest  or  in 
earnest.  Her  hair  was  soft,  silky  and  beautiful,  and  hung 
in  clustering,  dancing  curls  around  her  bewitching  little 
fnce ;  but — it  was  red,  uncompromising,  defiant  red,  and 
no  fiction  of  friends  or  lovers  could  make  it  auburn.  And 
now  it  flashed  and  scintillated  like  wings  of  flame  in  the 
radiant  sunshine. 

There  was  something  else  about  Jack  De  Vere  that  puz- 
zled and  perplexed  Disbrowe  not  a  little  ;  and  that  was, 
her  strong  and  undefinable  resemblance  to  some  one  he 
had  met  before — who,  at  that  moment,  he  could  not  re- 
member. There  she  stood  before  him,  cool,  bright,  breezy, 
airy,  and  unmistakably  fair,  reminding  him  of  a  saucy  boy 
— a  very  saucy  boy — yet  with  the  air  and  grace  of  a 
lady  withal. 

From  all  he  had  heard  of  her.  Captain  Disbrowe  judged 
she  must  be  an  Amazon,  a  romp,  a  hoyden — the  horror 
and  abomination  of  the  refined,  fastidious  Englishman. 
Accustomed  to  the  cold  hauteur  and  high-bred  elegance 
of  the  ladies  and  peeresses  of  his  native  lantl,  he  shrunk 
in  horror  from  anything  like  hoydenism  ;  and  an  Amazon 
would  have  been  looked  upon  by  him  in  about  the  same 
way  as  he  would  have  looked  upon  a  grizzly  bear  or  the 
great  sea-serpent — as  something  to  gaze  and  shudder  at^ 


I'l 


U\ 


(■,♦    I 


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II  ■■' 


li^ 


!| 


54 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


!  i   11 ! 


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Ul 


at  a  distance.  Tlie  light,  fragile  figure,  and  fair,  delicate 
face  of  this  young  girl  seemed,  though,  to  contradict  the 
idea  that  she  could  be  one  of  these  monsters ;  but  from  all 
he  had  heard  of  her  from  Frank,  it  left  him  to  infer  that 
she  was,  and  that  he  must  not  judge  by  appearances. 
Then,  too,  she  had  red  hair,  which  he  detested  as  be- 
tokening vulgarity  and  a  fiery  temper — two  revolting 
things,  according  to  his  high  and  spirituelle  notions  of  the 
adorable  sex ;  and  she  bore  a  boy's  name,  which  was  an- 
other shock  to  his  particular  and  fastidious  taste.  And  so 
altogeiiiov,  in  the  very  few  minutes  that  he  stood  watching 
her,  he  made  up  his  mind,  quite  to  his  own  satisfaction,  to 
dislike  Jack  De  Vere,  ahid  only  think  of  her  as  something 
to  smile  at  and  pity. 

But  if  he  thought  to  mortify  the  young  girl  before  him 
by  such  a  course,  never  was  self-complacent  man  more 
wofully  doomed  to  disappointment.  Cool  as  a  Lapland 
icicle,  self-possessed  and  self-conscious  as  a  crowned  queen 
on  her  throne,  indifferent  and  careless  as  the  breeze  that 
toyed  with  her  fair,  clustering  hair,  she  stood  before  him, 
with  a  pride  and  ease  of  manner  that  in  its  very  depth 
of  quietude,  arose  and  overtopped  his  own,  and  gave  the 
Honorable  Alfred  Disbrowe,  brother  of  an  earl  and  a  peer  in 
prospective,  to  understand  that,  if  he  intended  to  despise 
her  he  must  do  it  at  a  remarkably  safe  distance.  And 
he,  the  flattered,  courted,  and  caressed  in  all  the  gilded 
salons  of  brilliant  London,  who  hf>d  danced  with  princesses, 
flirted  with  regal  duchesses,  and  made  love  to  Lady  Geor- 
gianas  without  number — at  whose  coming  cheeks  had 
flushed,  and  bright  eyes  had  fallen,  and  hearts  had  beat 
faster — under  the  cool  gaze  of  whose  handsome  eyes  many 
a  pulse  under  a  diamond  bracelet  had  bounded,  found  him- 
self now  calmly  waved  back,  and  told  to  keep  his  place,  and 
by  the  bright,  clear  glance  of  those  gray  eyes  made  to  un- 
derstand he  must  remember  it,  too,  until  she  chose  to  de- 
scend from  her  pinnacle.  For  once  in  his  life,  the  dashing 
guardsman  was  made  to  understand  that  a  handsome 
face,  and  fine  figure,  and  gallant  bearing,  and  aristocratic 
name,  were  not  perfectly  irresistible. 

"Well,  sir,"  said  a  quick,  imperative  voice,  in  tones 
of  mingled  amusement  and  sarcasm, "  what  is  the  decision? 


V    tl 


JACK  DK  VERB. 


55 


I  see  you  have  come  to  one.  I  have  undergone  a  keen 
scrutiny  for  the  last  two  or  three  minutes ;  and  now  for 
your  verdict,  my  lord  judge  !  " 

She  had  faced  round  so  suddenly  and  unexpectedly,  and 
looked  up  in  his  face  so  keenly,  with  her  peculiar  mock- 
ing smile,  that  a  slight  flush  tinged,  for  an  instant,  the 
fine  face  of  Disbrowe  in  his  conscious  guilt. 

"  Ah,  you  needn't  speak.  I  can  read  my  sentence,  in 
that  guilty  look  ;  and  you  have  pronounced  me  a  second 
edition  of  the  bottle-imp — a  natural  curiosity  like  the 
ourang-outang,  or  any  other  outlandish  animal,  and  you 
are  just  thinking  what  a  fortune  some  enterprising  show- 
man might  make  by  putting  me  in  a  cage,  and  taking  me 
over  to  London,  and  exhibiting  me  as  a  real,  live  specimen 
of  that  terrific  creature — the  American  female.  Come, 
confess — isn't  that  so  ?  " 

"  Is  it  possible  you  can  wrong  me  T)y  such  a  thought, 
my  dear  cousin  ?  "  he  said,  recovering  himself.  "  What 
can  I  think  of  yon  but  that  you  are  the  most  charming 
little  fairy  in  existence,  and  the  most  enchanting  of 
cousins." 

"  Do  you,  really  ?  "  said  the  young  lady,  casting  a  critical 
eye  to  where  one  of  the  servants  were  about  to  lead  off 
the  horses.  "  I  say,  William,  mind  what  you're  at  there  I 
Would  you  take  those  horses,  reeking  hot,  into  the  stables  ? 
Walk  them  gently  up  and  down  for  a  while,  can't  you  ? 
And  so  that's  your  opinion,  is  it  ?  hum ! "  she  said,  with 
her  provoking  smile.  "  Well,  what  else  do  you  think 
about  me  ?  It  didn't  take  you  all  that  time  to  conclude  I 
was  charming,  and  what  else  was  it  ? — oh,  enchanting  I — 
did  it  ?  " 

"  By  no  means,  how  could  I  help  thinking  you  were  very 
beautiful?" 

"  Dazzlingly  beautiful  is  the  term  my  admirers  general- 
ly use  ;  and  I  like  it  better,"  amended  the  young  lady. 

"  Dazzlingly  beautiful,  then,  be  it ;  the  term  is  most  ap- 
propriate, and  shows  the  good  taste  of  yoar  admirers,  Miss 
De  Vere." 

A  sudden,  hot  flush,  like  a  rising  flame,  leaped  into  the 
cheeks  of  the  young  girl  at  the  words. 

**  Miss  De  Vere,"  she  said,  vehemently,  «  don't  call  me 


y   . 

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56 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


that !  I  hate  the  name  I  I  do  hate  it !  "  she  said,  almost 
passionately. 

He  looked  at  her  in  amazement,  to  see  her  cheeks  hot 
and  her  eyes  flashing  for  an  instant ;  and  then,  the  next, 
as  she  met  his  gaze  as  if  by  magic,  her  face  cleared  again, 
and  she  looked  up  at  him  and  laughed. 

"  Don't  be  shocked  I  I  hate  formality,  I  mean ;  and  it 
rather  startles  me  to  be  called  anything  so  stately  as  '  Miss 
De  Vere,'  "  and  she  mimicked  his  tone  to  perfection. 
"  I'm  not  used  to  it,  you  see  ;  and  it  doesn't  agree  with 
my  constitution  and  by-laws  either.  Call  me  Jacquetta,  or 
Jack,  or  I'll  come  without  calling  at  all,  if  you  prefer  it. 
*  Just  whistle,  and  I'll  come  to  you,  my  lad ' — rather  that 
style  of  thing,  you  know." 

"  With  all  my  heart,  Miss  Jacquetta,  and  may  I  also 
hope  to  hear  my  Christian  name  in  music  from  your 
lips." 

"  To  be  sure — you  didn't  expect  I  intended  calling  you 
anything  else  — did  you?  and  you  my  own  cousin,  too,'* 
and  she  laughed,  and  gave  him  a  glance  so  full  of  hidden, 
mocking  meaning  that  he  was  more  puzzled  what  to  make 
of  her  than  ever.  "  And  pray  what  is  it  ?  John,  Peter, 
Barnabas,  Tom,  Dick,  or  Harry,  or  what  ?  " 

"  Neither ;  it  happens  to  be  Alfred  De  Vere  Disbrowe." 

"  Phew !  All  that  for  a  name.  Suppose  we  make  it 
Alf,  for  short,  eh  ?  Apropos  of  long  names,  there  is  an 
old  Puritan  woman  who  has  lived  at  Fontelle,  as  a  sort  of 
privileged  servant,  ever  since  I  can  remember,  and  her 
name  is  Tribulation  Fear  the  Lord  Rawbones — there's  a 
name  for  you  !  " 

Disbrowe  laughed. 

"  Yes  ;  rather  an  inconvenient  name  for  every-day  use, 
isn't  it?"     * 

"  Oh,  we  call  her  Tribby,  except  on  festivals,  and  then 
she  gets  her  name  in  full.  But  now,  cousin  Alfred,  are 
we  to  go  up  to  the  house ;  or,  as  you  have  exhausted  the 
subject  of  my  innumerable  perfections,  am  I  to  begin  and 
say  pretty  things  to  you  ? — which  ?  " 

"  I  propose  that  we  adjourn  to  the  house,  and  I  will  take 
all  the  pretty  things  for  granted.  I  wish  to  see  my  uncle 
and  my  other  cousins,  as  soon  as  possible." 


m 


JACK  DK  vkre:. 


57 


«  Well,  come  along  then ;  they  are  both  in,  iis  it  happens, 
and  will  be  delighted  to  see  you,  of  course." 

13otli  walked  along  together,  and  ascended  a  broad 
flight  of  marble  steps  that  led  up  to  the  massive  hall-door, 
in  the  center  part  of  the  building.  This  opened  into  a 
vast  hall,  high,  dark  and  silent,  and  flanked  on  either  side 
by  doors,  and  with  a  staircase  of  polished  oak  at  the  fur- 
ther end,  leading  to  the  upper  rooms.  Opening  a  door  to 
the  right,  Jacquetta  ushored  him  into  a  spacious  drawing- 
room,  very  high,  very  dark,  very  grand,  and  silent,  and 
bearing  over  the  high  marble  mantel  the  escutcheon  of 
the  house  of  De  Vere,  with  its  brilliant  silver  star.  The 
furniture  was  carved  and  massive,  and  evidently  belonged 
to  a  former  generation ;  and  a  few  rare  old  pictures,  mas- 
terpieces of  master  painters,  hung  around  the  walls.  The 
immense  windows,  reaching  almost  from  floor  to  ceiling, 
were  hung  with  dark  purple  damask,  lined  with  corn- 
colored  silk,  and  the  thick,  dark  carpet  was  no  dainty 
Brussels  or  Turkey  affair,  but  one  that  had  evidently  been 
used  for  half  a  century,  and  was  likely  to  stand  half  a  cen- 
tury more.  The  chairs,  and  tables,  and  sofas  were  all  of 
the  same  massive,  carved  antique  pattern  ;  and  the  eyes  of 
the  young  Englishman  lit  up  with  jjleasure,  as  he  looked 
around  and  half-audibly  murmured ;  "  A  fit  home  for  a 
descendant  of  the  old  De  Veres.  I  hate  new  furniture 
and  new  houses." 

Jacquetta  had  left  him  upon  his  entrance ;  and  for  a 
time  he  was  left  alone  to  wonder  a  little  at  the  profound 
silence  of  the  house,  and  wonder  more  what  manner  of 
girl  this  odd  cousin  of  his  might  be.  Before  he  could 
come  to  any  satisfactory  conclusion,  the  massive  oaken 
door  swung  open,  and  a  tall,  hale  old  man,  of  stately  pres- 
ence and  dignified  mien,  "kindly  but  frosty,"  stood  on 
the  threshold,  with  a  lady  on  his  arm. 

"  My  dear  boy,  I'm  delighted  to  see  you,"  he  exclaimed 
in  a  voice  of  cordial  welcome,  as  he  came  forward,  and 
grasping  both  Disbrowe's  hands  shook  them  heartily. 
"  What  an  unexpected  pleasure  this  is,  to  be  sure  I  Bless 
me  !  How  like  you  are  to  your  mother,  my  poor  sister 
Clara,  my  dear  boy  !  You  look  like  a  De  Vere,  every  inch 
of  you  I    Allow  me  to  make  you  acquainted  with  your 


10 


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IP    ! 


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58 


THH  DARK  SECRET. 


cousins — this  is  my  daughter  Augusta,  and  this  is  my 
daughter  Jacquetta,  but  you  know  nerah-eady,  it  appears." 

"I  have  that  pleasure,  sir,"  haid  Disbrowe,  bowing  to 
"my  daughter  Augusta,"  a  tall,  haughty,  dark-eyed,  dark- 
haired,  pale-faced  beauty,  cold  and  stately  as  a  duchess, 
with  the  fine,  proud,  aristocratic  face  of  the  De  Veres — as, 
different  from  her  sister  as  day  from  night. 

"  Ah,  is  it  a  pleasure  ?  "  said  Miss  Jacquetta,  airily.  « I 
didn't  know.  Perhaps,  before  you  are  acquainted  with  me 
long  you  will  have  another  notion  about  that." 

"  Tut,  tut,  sauce-box ! "  said  her  father,  chucking  her 
under  the  chin.  "Little  girls  should  be  seen  and  not 
heard,  my  dear.  You  mustn't  mind  our  little  Jacky,  my 
boy ;  she's  a  spoiled  child,  and  nothing  else,  and  thinks 
herself  privileged  to  say  whatever  she  thinks." 

"  A.  rare  virtue  in  this  insincere  world,"  said  Disbrowe, 
politely. 

"  Is  it  always  a  virtue  ?  "  said  the  fair,  proud  Augusta, 
lying  languidly  back  in  her  chair,  and  lifting  her  eyes 
slowly,  as  though  it  was  too  much  trouble  to  raise  their 
heavy  lids. 

"  In  Miss  Jacquetta  it  doubtless  is  and  cannot  be  suffi- 
ciently admired,  more  particularly,  as  the  charming  grace 
with  which — " 

"  There,  cousin  Alf !  "  broke  in  Jacquetta,  flinging  her- 
self into  a  chair,  and  holding  up  one  tiny  foot,  and  looking 
at  it  critically,  "  don't  put  yourself  out  to  turn  a  compli- 
ment. I'll  imagine  the  rest,  as  you  did  a  while  ago,  you 
know.  As  to  his  not  minding  me,  papa,  I  wouldn't  advise 
him,  as  a  friend,  to  try  it,  for — did  you  ever  see  an  enraged 
American  female.  Captain  Disbrowe  ?  " 

"  Not  as  I  am  aware  of." 

"  Well,  then,  don't,  as  long  as  you  can  help  it ;  for  the 
forty  horse-power  essence  of  wild-cats  is  nothing  to  it  I 
It's  something  terrific,  I  tell  you,  and  has  to  be  seen  to  be 
appreciated.  You  cold-blooded  English,  over  there,  can't 
begin  to  have  the  first  idea  of  what  it's  like." 

"  Come,  Jacquetta,  come  *  this  won't  do,"  said  "  papa," 
fidgeting,  and  taking  a  pinch  of  snuff. 

"  Why,  I  hope  you  consider  yourself  English,  Miss  Jac- 
quetta," said  Disbrowe. 


JACK  DE  VERB. 


59 


«  Me  !  Not  1 1 1  scorn  the  idea !  I'lii  Yankee  to  the  f  ore  of 
my  heart !  A  regular  Jersey  true  blue  !  Me  English,  in- 
deed !  I  look  as  if  I  had  much  of  the  plodding,  sober-going 
John  Hull  about  me  !— don't  I  ?  " 

"Now,  Jacquettix,  my  dear,  how  can  youV"  said  papa, 
deprecatingly,  while  a  faint  smile  dawned  on  the  moon- 
light face  of  lady  Augusta,  and  an  angry  light  leaped  to 
the  dark  eyes  of  the  haughty  young  Englishman.  For- 
tunately, at  that  moment  a  bell  rung. 

«  The  first  bell,"  said  the  master  of  the  house,  rising, 
"  dinner  will  be  served  in  half  an  hour ;  and  I  presume  you 
will  wish  a  few  moments'  rest  after  your  long  ride." 

"I  certainly  require  it,"  said  Disbrowe,  running  hia 
fuigers  through  the  disheveled  locks  of  his  rich  brown  hair ; 
"and  I  am  rather  travel-stiiined  justat  present,  no  doubt." 

He  held  open  the  door  for  the  young  ladies  to  pass  out, 
as  he  spoke.  The  queenly  Augusta  acknovdedged  the 
courtesy  by  the  slightest  bend  of  her  proud  head ;  but  Jac- 
quctta  looked  cunningly  up  in  his  face,  and  laugaed,  and 
kissed  her  hand  to  hir .,  and  danced  after  her  stately  sis- 
ter like  an  incarnate  sunbeam. 

Then  ^fr.  De  Vere  rung  the  bell,  and  a  spruce  chamber- 
maid escorted  Captain  Disbrowe  up-stairs  to  a  long  gal- 
lery, flanked,  like  the  hall  below  with  doors,  and  ushered 
him  into  what  his  host  had  called  the  "  Star  Chamber" — 
a  superbly  fitted  up  apartment,  with  the  walls  and  ceiling 
gemmed  with  stars  in  azure  ground,  and  the  cornices 
fretted  with  gold  network.  A  large,  square,  old-fashioned 
l)ed,  hung  with  hea\7'  drapery  of  blue  and  silver,  stood  op- 
posite the  door,  and  the  large  oriole  windows  were  draped 
with  curtains  of  the  same.  In  the  immense  fireplace 
roared  and  blazed  a  huge  wood  fire,  that  warmed  and  lit 
up  the  whole  room,  and  seemed  to  make  the  starry  carpet 
on  the  floor  literally  sparkle.  An  immense  mirror,  reach- 
ing t  >  the  ceiling,  reflected  back  the  room  ;  and  on  a  large 
oak  table  beside  it  lay  books  and  draAvings,  and  numerous 
elegant  toilet  trifles.  But  none  of  these  objects  attracted 
the  eye  of  Disbrowe — something  else  had  caught  his  at- 
tention the  moment  he  entered,  and  held  it  chained  still. 
Over  the  bronze  mantel  hung  a  picture  in  an  oval  frame, 
heavily  carved  ;  a  portrait  of  a  small,  mocking,  tantalizing. 


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60 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


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bewitching  face,  with  short,  waving  curls,  and  sparkling, 
flashing,  gray  eyes,  scintillating  with  mirth  and  mischief, 
and  hidden  power.  It  was  a  portrait  of  Jacquetta  De 
Vere ;  and  the  red  lips  seemed  wreathed  into  a  mocking 
smile,  and  the  flashing  eyes  seemed  to  deride  him  as  they 
met  his  own.  The  head  was  half  turned,  as  if  she  were 
looking  back — just  as  he  had  seen  her  when  she  left  the 
room  a  moment  before,  with  the  same  wicked,  half-defiant, 
half-laughing  grace. 

Leaning  his  arm  on  the  mantel,  and  quite  forgetful  of 
the  flight  of  time,  he  stood  there  and  looked  at  it.  What 
thoughts  were  thronging  through  his  mind  at  that  mo- 
ment ?  Did  he  think  of  the  prediction  of  the  weird  ^vitch 
of  the  lone  inn — of  the  dark,  loathsome  pit,  at  the  bottom  of 
which,  her  high  pride  laid  low,  she  was  to  lie  at  his  feet? 
Did  he  tliink  of  it  afterward,  in  the  dark  days  that  were 
to  come,  when  he  knew  a  doom  worse  tnan  death  was  hers 
— that  fair,  high- spiritual  young  girl,  whose  bright  face 
smiled  on  him  from  the  wall  now  ? 


CHAPTER  VI. 

THE  SECRET. 

**  She  said,  and  raised  her  skinny  hand. 
As  in  defiance,  to  high  heaven. 
And  stretched  her  long,  lean  finger  forth, 
And  spoke  aloud  the  words  of  power." 

— Thalaba. 

The  dinner-bell  had  rung,  and  a  long  interval  had  suc- 
ceeded, but  still  the  Honorable  Alfred  Disbrowe  stirred 
not — still  he  stood  gazing  on  \>hat  picture,  charmed,  fas- 
cinated, as  a  bird  is  charmed  and  fascinated  by  a  serpent. 
Kot  that  the  knowing,  dashing  young  guardsman,  the  gay 
man  of  fashion,  had  much  of  the  innocence  and  simplicity 
of  a  bird  about  him,  and  neither  would  I  insinuate  that 
Miss  Jacquetta  De  Vere  had  anything  of  the  dark  and 
dreadful  subtlety  of  a  serpent ;  but  certainly  it  was  some 
sensation  akin  to  snake- charming  that  invited  his  eyes  to 
that  piquant,  entrancing,  yet  anything  but  beautiful  face. 
It  was  not  love — on  the  contrary,  it  was  more  like  positive 


ii 


THE  SECRET. 


6x 


dislike  ;  but  still  he  stood  and  gazed,  quite  forgetful  that 
he  was  to  arrange  his  dress,  and  tliat  the  bell  had  rung 
ten  minutes  before,  and  that,  in  ail  probability,  the  origi- 
nal was  waiting  do>vn-stairs,  and  in  no  very  sweet  humor 
at  that  same  waiting. 

A  sharp  knock  at  the  door  startled  him  at  last  from 
his  reverie,  and,  in  answer  to  his  "  Come  in  I  "  the  door 
opened,  and  Frank  entered. 

"  What  I  not  ready  yet,  and  the  dinner  waiting  for  the 
last  ten  minutes,  and  Uncle  Rob  the  most  particular  old 
gentleman  that  ever  wore  a  wig !  Whew ! "  said  Master 
Shrank,  thrusting  his  hands  into  his  pockets,  and  beginning 
to  wliistle. 

"  Is  it  possible  ?  "  said  Disbrowe,  starting  up,  shocked 
at  his  want  of  thought.  "  I  deserve  the  bastinado  for  my 
neglect.  I  can't  tell  what  I  was  thinking  of,  to  forget  my- 
self so,"  he  said,  as  he  hurriedly  began  to  arrange  his 
toilet. 

"  Well,  liurry  up,  and  I'll  wait  for  you,"  said  Frank, 
seating  liimself.  "  Jack  advised  uncle  to  send  up  one  of 
the  kitchen-maids  to  help  you  to  make  yourself  fascina- 
ting— it  took  you  so  long.  So  they've  put  you  in  the  Star 
Chamber,  have  they  ?  There's  Jack's  picture.  I  remem- 
ber the  day  she  hung  it  there,  and  called  it  the  brightest 
star  of  the  lot.     Do  you  think  her  good-looking  ?  " 

"  Certainly — you  know  there  is  no  such  thing  as  a  bad- 
looking  woman,"  said  Disbrowe,  politely. 

"  Oh,  isn't  there  ?  What  a  blessed  beauty  Mother 
Grizzle  is,  for  instance!  Gusty 's  good-looking,  though, 
ain't  she?" 

"  Very  beautiful,"  said  Disbrowe,  in  all  sincerity  this 
time.    "  She  is  a  true  De  Vere." 

"  Which  would  you  take  to  be  the  oldest,  now — Jack  or 
Gus  ?  "  said  Frank. 

"  IVIiss  Augustu,  of  course,"  said  Disbrowe,  surprised  at 
such  a  question. 

"  I  knew  it,"  said  Frank,  with  a  chuckle ;  "  but  she 
ain't,  though.     Jack's  two  or  three  years  older." 

"  Is  it  possible  ?  "  exclaimed  Disbrowe,  in  astonishment. 
"  I  can  scarcely  credit  it !  " 

"  Well,  you  may,  then.  Gusty's  only  eighteeiij  and  Jack's 


~>  ''I 

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1?'  ' 


63 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


twenty,  and  more,  for  all  I  know.  She  looks  younger, 
don't  she  ?  Hut  that's  because  she's  so  small  and  fair— 
fair  people  always  look  younger  than  they  really  are,  you 
know." 

"  Younger  !  I  hardly  took  her  to  be  sixteen,"  said  Dis- 
browe.     "  She  certainly  does  not  look  that." 

"  She  is,  then,  and  she  makes  no  bones  of  telling  it, 
either ;  and  tl  on  it  makes  lier  look  like  a  little  girl,  wear- 
ing her  liair  flying  about  her  face  in  curls,  instead  of  braid- 
ing it,  and  fixing  it  up  as  Gusty  does.  Do  you  like  red 
hair," 

"No — but  then  Miss  Jacquetta's  is  auburn,  is  it  not?" 
said  Disbrowe,  with  another  polite  fiction. 

"  Auburn !  "  said  Frank,  contemptuously.  "  It  won't  be 
well  for  you  t'O  tell  Jack  that,  any  way !  She's  proud  of 
her  leonine  lo^.ks,  I  can  tell  you,  and  calls  it  her  crowning 
glory,  and  wouldn't  change  it,  she  says,  for  any  other 
color  under  the  sun.  I  remember  Will  Redfern  called  her 
a  young  lioness  once,  with  her  red  mane,  after  she  horse- 
whipped him  one  day,  in  the  street." 

Disbrowe  shuddered. 

"  Horse- whipped  him !  Good  heavens  I  what  did  she 
do  that  for  ?     It  can't  be  possible,  surely." 

"  Yes,  it  iS  possible,  and  served  him  just  right,  I  say  ; 
and,  what's  more,  she  wouldn't  mind  doing  it  over  again. 
He  insulted  a  girl,  and  she  told  Jacq  letta ;  and  as  the 
girl  had  no  father  or  brother  to  take  her  part.  Jack  gave 
him  particular  fits  with  her  horse- whip  the  next  time  she 
met  him.  Oh  !  she'r,  spunky,  I  promise  you !  Take  care 
you  don't  anger  her  some  day,"  said  Frank,  laughing,  "  or 
she'll  be  after  you  with  a  sharp  stick." 

"  Heaven  forbid ! "  exclaimed  Disbrowe,  in  horror. 
"  What  an  Amazon  she  is  !  Who  would  ever  think  a  De 
'^ere  could  do  such  an  atrocious  thing  ! " 

"  I  know  another  De  Vere  who  did  such  an  atrocious 
thing,  and  it  wa.sn't  to  avenge  distressed  innocence,  either," 
said  Frank,  maliciously. 

"  You  mean  me,  I  suppose,"  ^aid  Disbrowe,  laughing, 
"  but  I'm  not  a  girl.  Perhaps,  though,  it's  the  fashion  for 
young  girls  to  act  so  here  in  America." 

"  Oh,  every  one's  independent  here — do  just  as  they 


THE  SKCRET. 


^3 


like,  and  don't  care  a  snap  for  their  neighbor ;  nnd  our 
Jack's  the  pUickiest  one  of  the  lot.  *  Altliough  slug's 
but  little,  she's  made  of  good  mettle,'  as  the  old  song 
says." 

"  Do  you  know,"  said  Dis])rowe,  brushing  his  tangled 
locks,  "  she  reminds  me  so  much  of  some  one  else  I  have 
seen — I  can't  think  who  j  a  shado^vy  resemblance  in  every 
motion." 

"  I  thhik  she  look  like  little  Orrie  ITowlet,  at  the  inn,  if 
that's  wliat  you  mean,"  said  Frank;  "although  Orris's  a 
regular  little  scjuaw  for  darkness,  and  Jack's  fair  as  sho 
well  can  be.  I  know  they  always  remind  me  of  one  an- 
other— and  others  say  so,  too." 

"Yes,  now  I  think  of  it,  she  does,"  said  Disbro  we,  medi- 
tatively ;  "  but  somehow  she's  not  the  one  I  mean.  By 
Jove  !  I  have  it.  now,"  he  cried,  Avith  a  stavi; ;  "  she  looks 
like  the  fellow  t  horse- whipped — a  pocket  edition  of  thaw 
same  old  coon,  revised  and  improved,  with  tlie  very  same 
inso — the  very  snme  look  in  her  eyes  that  he  has." 

"Good  gracious!"  said  Frank,  laughing,  "here's  a  dis- 
covery !  Our  Jack  like  old  Nick  Tempest !  What  would 
Jack  say  if  she  heard  that  ?  Not  but  what  T  believe  she 
would  take  it  as  a  compliment ;  for  she  fairly  dotes  on 
dare-devils,  like  him,  ana  >vould  make  a  tip-top  wife  for  a 
sa^^  sea  rover  or  an  Italian  brigand." 

"  ►speaking  of  brigands,"  said  Disbrowe,  "  reminds  me 
that  I  saw  with  old  Nick  Tempest,  as  you  call  him,  a 
most  enchanting  little  specimen  of  that  article  in  a  real 
brigandish  rig.  Now,  then,"  he  added,  giving  a  few  fin- 
ishing touches,  "  I  am  at  your  service." 

Both  descended  to  the  dining-room,  where  they-found 
Mr.  De  Vere  and  his  daughters  awaiting  them.  Dis- 
browe's  apology  for  detaining  them,  was  smilingly  accept- 
ed, and  all  were  soon  seated  round  the  ample  board  of 
the  master  of  Fontelle  Hall. 

During  the  meal  Disbrowe  made  some  inquiries  about  the 
society  of  the  neighborhood  and  the  gentry. 

"  Gentry,"  said  lady  Augusta,  with  her  languid  smile, 
"  we  have  no  such  thing  here,  captain.  *  All  men  are  born 
free  and  equal,'  isn't  that  what  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence says,  papa  ? 


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64 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


1    ' 


r  '• 


"  I  low  do  you,  Miss  Do  Vere,  believe  in  such  humbug 
as  tluit  y  "  said  Disbrowe,  with  a  curling  lip. 

"  r  think,"  said  the  young  lady,  steadily  and  with  a 
rising  tiusli  tinging,  for  a  moment,  her  pale  cheek,  "  that 
pride  of  ])irth  is  carried  to  an  absurd  excess  in  England. 
Will  it  nnleem  a  mean  or  dishonorable  character  that  he 
can  boast  his  forefatliers  entered  with  the  (-onciuest,  and 
can  display  a  coat-ot'-arms  that  readies  back  for  a  score  of 
generations.  I  think,"  slie  said,  with  increasing  warmth, 
and  an  unusual  light  in  her  dark  eyes,  and  an  unusual 
flush  on  her  pale  cheek,  "  that  a  man  of  the  people,  who 
rises  by  his  own  unaided  efforts  in  the  battle  of  life,  to 
power  and  distinction,  deserves  a  thousandfold  more  es- 
teem and  respect,  and  should  be  a  prouder  man,  than  he 
who  can  trace  his  descent  back  to  the  days  of  William 
the  Conqueror,  and  can  boast  of  nothing  else.  The  great 
Earl  of  Oxford,  from  whom  we  l)e  Veres  boast  we  have 
descended,  was  a  great  man  doubtless,  in  his  day,  and 
would  have  spurned  the  people  as  the  dust  under  his  feet ; 
but  whether  will  he  or  Washington,  the  ]Man  of  the  Peo- 
ple, be  longest  remembered  ?  Which  is  the  greater,  let 
posterity  decide.  One  was  forgotten  many  and  many  a 
year  ago ;  but  while  the  world  lasts  will  the  other  evei* 
cease  to  be  remember  and  revered  ?  " 

"  Bravo  !  encore !  I  say,"  shouted  Frank,  delighted. 

"Really,  Augusta,"  said  her  father  laying  down  hia 
knife  and  fork,  and  looking  at  her,  "  a  change  has  come 
o'er  the  si)irit  of  your  dream  lately.  Two  years  ago,  my 
dear  Alfred,  there  never  was  a  greater  aristocrat  than  the 
young  lady  who  has  just  made  that  republican  speech; 
she  would  have  trodden  on  the  necks  of  the  people  as  re- 
morselessly as  your  haughty  brother,  Earnecliffe,  himself, 
and  thought  them  honored  by  the  condescension,  when,  lo 
and  behold  !  she  suddenly  faces  about,  and  becomes  a  red 
hot  rebel  and  republican — stands  up  for  the  people,  and 
advocates  equal  rights,  and  liberty,  fraternity  and  equality, 
and  all  the  rest  of  it,  as  furiously  as  if  she  were  one  of  a 
French  mob.  What  has  changed  her  tactics,  I  don't 
know ;  but  changed  they  are,  with  a  vengeance,  and  I  ex- 
pect her  to  crown  it  all  by  marrying  a  Smith,  Jones,  or 


THE  SECRKT. 


wlio 


65 


JlobiiiHon,  one  day  shortly  1  I  sluin't  be  at  all  surprised,  if 
the  does." 

He  laughed  as  he  spoke  ;  but,  at  the  last  words  a  dead- 
ly i);ileiiess  swept  over  the  beautiful  face  of  his  daughter, 
l''aviiig  her  even  to  her  lips,  eold  and  white  as  marble. 
J)isl)ro\ve  lifted  his  eyes,  and  looked  at  her,  as  if  a  sudden 
light  liad  dawned  ui)()n  him,  and  slightly  smiled. 

"  Miss  Augusta  is  too  staneh  a  De  Vere  ever  to  marry 
beneatli  her,"  he  said,  signitic^antly. 

"  Bt;  assured  of  that,  sir!"  she  said,  haughtily.  '*  I 
never  shall !  "  ' 

"Ti Kit's  my  proud  Lady  Augusta  !"  said  her  father, 
Imghing.  "  Hut  what's  got  into  my  little  Jaek-o'-lantern 
here  that  she  sits  so  still  ?  " 

"  It's  so  seldom  I  hear  sensible  people  talk,  papa,"  said 
Jacquetta,  demiu'ely,  "  that  I  like  to  listen  in  sileut  awe 
—  when  tliey  do — that's  all." 

"  I  am  afraid  Miss  Jaccpietta  is  inelined  to  be  sarcastic," 
raid  Dishrowe,  coloring  slightly  at  her  covert  smile. 

"  M(> !  "  said  Jae([uetta,  raising  her  eye])rows  in  innocent 
^;urprise.  "  Oli,  no !  I  hope  you  don't  suspect  me  of  any- 
thing so  shocking ! " 

"  Tell  him  about  our  gentry,  puss,"  said  31r.  De  Vere, 
"»vith  a  sly  chuckle.  "  You  know  every  one  within  forty 
miles  round." 

"  Yes  ;  and  further,  too,"  said  Jacquetta.  "  And  I  shall 
be  only  too  hai)py  to  take  cousin  Alfred  around  and  in- 
troduce him.  First,  there's  the  Brontes — their  real  name 
:*s  Brown,  but  that's  no  matter — and  there  are  six  girls, 
the  oldest  of  whom  has  been  eighteen  for  the  last  five 
years,  and  intends  to  be  for  five  more  ;  and  the  rest  of 
whom,  likewise,  have  come  to  a  stand-still,  and  are  firmly 
resolved  to  set  time  at  defiance,  and  not  grow  a  day  older 
until  Seraphina  Clementina  is  married.  Their  father  will 
give  them  five  hundred  dollars  apiece  fortune,  and  their 
Imsbands  a  share  in  the  pork  and  tallow  business ;  and 
it  would  be  an  excellent  thing  for  cousin  Alfred  if  he  was 
to  get  one  of  them.  Then  there's  Miss  Arethusa  Desmond, 
a  limp  young  lady,  on  the  beanpole  pattern,  with  white 
hair  and  eyes,  who  never  pronounces  the  letter  *  r,'  and 
who  informed  me  the  other  day  she  had  '  just  wead  King 


1   I 


j;  . 


'      '; 


I 


I 


IV 


}.-:t 


II 

I' 

It- 


•;     It* 


^      • 


li 


66 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


Leah,  a  play  by  one  Mistah  Shakspeah,  and  she  liked  it 
so  vewy  much  that  she  intended  making  her  pa  buy  her 
the  very  next  he  wrote.'  Then  there's  Mrs.  Flartie,  a 
^  furriner,'  whose  name  in  the  original  Greek  is  O'Flaherty, 
and  who  snubs  her  husband — worthy  little  soul — till  he 
daren't  sneeze  in  her  presence,  without  asking  permission 
first,  and  who  is  mad 'y  jealous  of  me  because  I  get  the 
honor  of  being  an  innocent  little  creature,  and  who  calls 
me  an  *  impident  little  red-headed  rip  '  when  I'm  not  listen- 
ing. Then  there  is  Miss  Betsy  Boggs  and  her  two  sisters, 
all  of  whom  will  make  a  dead  set  at  our  handsome  cousin" 
— and  Jucquetta  bowed,  and  sr.iiled  across  the  table,  in  the 
old  malicious  way — "  and  capture  him  or  die  in  the  attempt. 
Think  how  it  \v'ould  look  when  Lord  Earnecliffe  would 
read  it  in  the  papers  :  Married — By  the  Reverend  Jedediah 
Spinitout,  Captain  Alfred  De  Vere,  late  of  Her  Majesty's 
Guards,  to  Miss  Betsy  Boggs,  eldest  daughter  of  Simon 
Peter  Boggs,  of  Boggs'  Hols,  Jersey." 

Here  a  roar  of  laughter  from  Frank  interrupted  Jac- 
quetta. 

"  What  a  malicious  little  imp  !  "  thought  Disbrowe,  in- 
wardly w  ishing  the  wicked  fairy  ten  feet  deep  in  Thames* 
mud  at  tliat  minute. 

"  That's  all,  I  think,"  said  Jacquetta,  reflectively.  "  Oh, 
no !  there's  r>[rs.  Grizzle  Howlet,  an  estimable  lady,  and 
mighty  pretty  to  look  at,  who  lives  over  there  among  the 
frogs  in  the  swamps  somewhere.  It's  not  likely  you  -^vould 
fall  in  love  with  her,  though,  as  she's  a  widow,  and  you 
might  object  to  a  second-band  wife." 

"  Oh,  I  am  not  particular !  "  said  Disbrowe,  carelessly ; 
"  but  I  have  seen  the  lady  in  question,  and  I  rather  think, 
if  I  did,  she  would  soon  be  a  widow  again.  As  it  is,  she 
came  pretty  near  bringing  my  earthly  career  to  an  end ; 
and  only  for  the  providential  interposition  of  my  young 
friend,  Frank  there,  you  would  hardly  have  seen  me  at 
Fontelle  to-day,  I  fancy." 

All  looked  at  him  in  curiosity,  and  the  young  guards- 
man promptly  related  his  nocturnal  adventure  at  the  old 
house.  Mr.  Do  Vere  and  Augusta  listened  in  silent  hor- 
ror, Frank  uttered  an  exclamation  of  dismay,  and  Jacquet- 
ta puckered  up  her  rosy  mouth  and — whistled  I 


THE  SECRET. 


67 


"The  atrocious  old  hag!"  exclaimed  Mr.  De  Vere. 
*f  Good  heavens  !  that  such  a  den  should  so  long  have  ex- 
isted in  a  peaceable  community !  I  remember,  now,  that 
about  eight  months  ago  there  Wiis  a  rumor  of  a  missing 
Frenchman — a  stranger  here — and  of  whom  no  tidings 
could  ever  be  discovered.  He  must  have  been  the  one  the 
little  girl  spoke  to  you  of.  I  shall  have  the  old  witch  and 
her  two  rascally  sons  arrested  before  another  sun  sets." 

"  I  often  did  hear,"  said  Jacquetta,  "  that  any  one  born 
to  be  hanged  ^vill  never  be  drowned ;  and  now  I  shall 
think  it  apphes  to  other  cases  besides  drowning." 

"  Which  implies,  you  think,  an  elevated  destiny  for  me," 
said  Disbrowe. 

"  What  do  you  say  to  riding  over  with  me  to-morrow, 
Alired  ?  "  said  Mr.  De  Vere.  "  We  will  go  to  Green  Creek, 
a  town  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  this,  and  get  three 
or  four  men  to  accompany  us.  The  accursed  crew !  they 
ought  to  be  lynched  !  " 

"lam  quite  at  your  service,  my  dear  sir,"  said  T)is- 
browe.  "It  will  be  a  good  deed  to  nd  the  world  of  such 
a  gang." 

"  To-morrow,  then,  we'll  see  the  secrets  of  that  old  sink 
of  iniquity  brought !»  light,  and  Grizzle  Howlet  and  her 
sons  and  worthy  brother  in  chains,"  said  Mr.  De  Vere. 

"  Not  quite  so  fast,  my  good  sir ;  I  will  have  to  be  con- 
sulted about  that  I  "  said  a  loud,  harsh  voice,  as  the  door 
was  flung  violently  open,  and  Grizzle  Ilowlet  herself  stood 
before  them.  All  sprung  to  their  feet  in  amazement.  A 
frightened  servant  came  behind  her  and  said,  in  alarm,  to 
Mr.  De  Vere : 

"  If  you  please,  sir  I  couldn't  stop  her — she  would  come. 
I  didn't  intend  to  let  her  in — " 

"  Leave  the  room !  "  interrupted  Mr.  De  Vere,  waving 
his  hand. 

The  man  vanished,  glad  to  get  the  door  V)etween  him 
and  the  fierce  intruder ;  and  Grizzle,  folding  her  arms 
over  her  breast,  regarded  them  with  her  dark,  evil  sneer. 

"  Well,  most  potent,  grave  and  reverend  seignors,  and 
ladies,  too,"  she  said ;  "  so  you  had  it  all  settled  to  arrest 
old  Grizzle  Howlet  and  her  sons,  and  clap  them  into  pris- 
on, and  then  hang  them  for  robbery  and  murder  ?    What 


68 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


!    ! 


I 
i 


i! 


a  pity  so  elaborate  a  scheme  should  end  in  smoke,  as  so 
many  other  schemes  have  done  before !  " 

"  Is  the  woman  mad  ?  "  said  Mr.  De  Vere,  astounded, 
"  to  come  here  like  this,  knowing  her  guilt ;  for  such  an 
act  is  certainly  the  very  climax  of  madness ! " 

" '  No ;  I  am  not  mad,  most  noble  Festus,  but  speak  the 
words  of  sober  reason,'  as  you  shall  soon  find  to  your  cost. 
What  would  you  say  to  me,  if  I  were  to  tell  you  that  you 
will  not  only  let  me  go  forth  free,  but  safe  from  your  in- 
terference from  henceforth?" 

"  You  will  soon  have  my  answer,"  said  Mr.  De  Yere, 
seizing  the  bell-rope  and  ringing  a  violent  peal. 

"  Call  your  servants  as  fast  as  you  like  I  "  said  the  wo- 
man, with  a  look  of  contempt ;  "  but  before  they,  or  you, 
lay  a  finger  on  me,  I  must  and  will  have  a  word  with  that 
young  lady  there  !  "  And  she  pointed  to  Augusta,  who 
stood  regarding  her  with  mingled  horror  and  loathing. 

"  We  will  see  about  that,"  said  Mr.  De  Vere,  calmly. 

"  I  tell  you,"  said  the  woman,  raising  her  arm  and  speak- 
ing with  a  sort  of  passionate  earnestness,  "  it  will  be  better 
for  you  if  you  do  — until  the  very  day  of  your  death,  you, 
and  all  who  bear  your  proud  name,  will  rue  it  if  you  do 
not !  Listen  to  me,  lady — you  who  stand  there  so  queenly 
in  your  haughty  pride  and  scorn — it  will  be  better  for  you 
to  hear  what  I  have  to  say ;  for  I  have  your  secret  and 
another  besides,  that  you  ought  to  have  known  long  be- 
fore this." 

A  frightful  paleness  overspread  the  haughty  face  of 
Augusta,  and,  with  a  faint  cry,  she  caught  and  steadied 
herself  by  a  chair.  As  she  did  so,  the  door  opened  and  a 
servant  appeared. 

"  Papa,  let  me  hear  her  I  Send  the  man  away !  I  must 
hear  her,  papa !  "  she  said,  wildly,  taking  a  step  toward 
her. 

"  Nonsense,  Augusta ! "  said  her  father,  sharply.  "Hear 
her,  indeed  I  the  old  impostor !  Reynolds,  go  and  bring 
William  and  James  here  !  " 

The  servant  disappeared,  and  old  Grizzle,  folding  her 
cloak  closer  about  her,  sat  down,  with  her  evil  sneering 
smile. 

"  Very  well — be  it  so,  then.    I  will  go  to  prison ;  and 


\  'I' 


;i 


THK  SECRET. 


69 


H 


the  very  day  I  do,  your  secret,  August  De  Vere,  shall  be 
blown  by  the  four  winds  of  heaven  over  all  the  land — and 
what's  more,  another  secret  that  I  came  here  to-day  to  tell 
you — one  that  you  would  give  the  broad  lands  of  Fontelle 
to  hear.     Remember  that !  " 

"  Oh,  I  must  hear  her  !  I  must,  papa ! "  cried  Augusta 
gasping  for  breath,  and  looking  ready  to  faint. 

It  was  strange  to  see  the  calm,  the  stately,  the  haughty 
Augusta  De  Vere  moved  like  this.  In  all  his  life  her 
fatlier  had  never  seen  anything  like  it  before ;  and  now 
he  gazed  upon  her,  thunderstruck. 

"In  Heaven's  name,  what  is  the  meaning  of  this, 
Augusta  ?  What  secret  is  this  wretched  old  woman  talk- 
ing about." 

"  Oh,  I  cannot  tell  you !  I  dare  not  tell  you  !  but  I  must 
hear  her  !  "  exclaimed  Augusta,  distractedly,  as  she  went 
over  and  stood  close  beside  the  woman. 

"I  must  tell  you  in  private,"  said  Grizzle,  looking 
around. 

"  You  must  not  leave  the  room  I "  said  Mr.  De  Vere, 
sternly.  "  Jacquetta,  tell  the  servants  to  wait,  and  turn 
the  key  of  the  door  and  let  this  farce  end! "  "; 

Jacquetta,  looking  astonished  and  bewildered,  obeyed. 

"  Don't  listen,  then  !  Stand  off ! "  said  Grizzle,  with  an 
angry  wave  of  her  hand.  "  A  De  Vere  should  not  be  an 
eavesdropper.  Come  over  here,  young  lady,"  she  said,  tak- 
ing Augusta  by  the  arm,  and  leading  her  to  the  remotest 
corner.  Captain  Disbrowe  walked  to  the  window  and 
looked  out.  Jacquetta  bent  over  the  table,  with  her  back 
toward  them ;  and  Mr.  De  Vere,  looking  angry,  astonish- 
ed, and  half-alarmed,  stood,  with  a  frowning  brow,  regard- 
ing them. 

So  nearly  ten  minutes  passed — during  which  Grizzle 
talked  in  a  fierce,  rapid,  hissing  whisper,  without  once 
stopping,  and  grasping  Lady  Augusta's  arm  in  a  vise- like 
grip.  As  she  went  on,  a  frightful  change  passed  over  the 
young  girl.  One  arm  was  half  raised,  her  blanched  lips 
sprung,  quivering,  apart,  her  eyes  strained  and  staring, 
an  awful  darkness,  as  if  she  were  strangling,  settling  on 
her  face,  and  with  it  a  look  of  horror — of  wildest,  most 
unspeakable  horror — fell. 


I 


¥' 


ni 


I  i. 


1 1 


I, 


^o 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


Suddenly  there  was  the  sound  of  a  heavy  fall,  followed 
by  a  cry  from  Grizzle — a  sharp,  quick  cry  of  alarm  echoed 
by  one  longer  and  more  passionate  from  Mr.  De  Vere. 
Disbrowe  and  Jacquetta  faced  round  in  terror  to  behold 
Augusta  lying  on  the  floor,  with  her  father  and  Grizzle 
bending  over  her,  and  a  dark  stream  of  blood  slowly  ooz- 
ing from  her  mouth. 


CHAPTER  YII. 


THE  ]\nDNIGHT  MUSIC. 


'' The  midnight  hour  will  soon  be  here — 
That  awful  hour  ! 
When  graves  yawn  wide  and  the  dead  occupants 
Mingle  with  earthly  life." 

"  Lift  her  up,"  said  the  loud,  harsh  voice  of  Grizzle  ; 
*'  she  has  ruptured  an  artery — that  is  all." 

She  attempted  to  lift  her  herself,  as  she  spoke,  but  she 
was  furiously  hu^-led  back  by  Mr.  De  Vere. 

"  Woman,  begone  !  touch  her  not  !  "  he  cried,  in  a 
voice  of  mingled  rage  and  anguish.  "  You  have  slain  my 
child  !  " 

"  She  is  not  dead,  I  tell  you,"  said  Grizzle,  coolly. 
*'  Rupturing  an  artery  is  a  small  affair." 

"  Peace,  you  old  hag !  "  said  Disbrowe,  fiercely.  "  You 
have  done  mischief  enough,  now  !  How  dare  you  speak, 
after  what  you  have  done  ?  " 

«  Dare  ! "  said  Grizzle,  with  a  short  laugh ;  "  I  would 
dare  as  much  as  any  De  Yere  among  you  ;  and  verily, 
you  come  of  a  daring  race.  If  haughty  ladies,"  she  said 
pointing  to  the  still  insensible  Augusta,  "  will  commit 
crimes  -yes,  crimes !  I  repeat  it ;  so  never  start,  and  look 
fierce,  my  young  soldier — crimes  that  even  I,  murderess 
and  all  as  I  am,  shudder  to  think  of,  they  must  suffer 
the  consequences." 

"You  shall  suffer  the  consequences,  you  old  mur- 
deress 1  "  shouted  Mr.  De  Yere,  furiously,  as  he  laid 
Augusta  on  the  sofa,  and  turned  toward  the  door.  "  By 
the  heavens  above  us  I  you  shall  never  go  free  another 
hour,  for  this  !  " 


THE  MIDNIGHT  MUSIC. 


71 


But  the  tall  form  of  Grizzle  interposed  between  him 
and  the  door,  and  her  long,  commanding  arm  waved  him 
back. 

«  No,"  she  said,  resolutely,  fixing  her  eyes  sternly  on 
his  face ;  "  you  shall  not  go — for  your  own  sake,  you 
shall  not  go.  It  is  not  that  I  bear  any  regard  for  you — 
it  is  not  that  I  bear  any  lovo  for  one  of  your  proud  name 
— it  is  not  that  I  do  not  hate,  from  the  very  depths  of 
my  soul,  one  who  I  ears  it  " — and  her  fierce  eyes  seemed, 
for  an  instant,  to  blaze  with  a  red,  lurid  fire,  as  they  fixed 
themselves  on  Jacquetta,  who  knelt  beside  her  sister — 
"  but  for  a  reason  of  my  own,  you  shall  not  brmg  disgrace 
on  yourself,  disgrace  on  your  house,  disgrace  on  all  the 
name  of  De  Vere,  as  yet.  For  I  tell  you,  Robert  De 
Vere,  uncle  of  an  English  peer,  as  you  are — the  haughti- 
est among  England's  haughty  sons — if  this  were  known, 
the  whole  world  would  spurn  your  daughter — spurn  her 
in  loathing  and  horror ;  the  very  children  in  the  street 
would  shrink  in  terror  and  affright  from  her  wherever  she 
would  appear.  Recoil  as  you  will,  grow  white  as  you 
listen,  yet  I  tell  you,  man,  as  God  hears  me,  I  speak  the 
truth." 

There  was  an  almost  passionate  solemnity  in  her  tones ; 
and  there  was  something  awe-inspiring  and  terrific  in  the 
weird  gesture  with  which  she  raised  her  arm  and  pointed 
upward,  as  if  calling  II im  she  had  named  to  witness  the 
truth  of  her  words.  ^Mr.  De.  Vere  reeled,  as  if  he  had 
been  struck  a  blow  for  an  instant ;  then,  as  his  eye  fell  on 
the  high  noble  face  of  his  proud  daughter — on  the  pure, 
stainless,  marble-like  brow,  and  sweet,  beautiful  lips,  the 
conviction  that  she  was  merely  playing  ujxjn  his  fears 
returned  ;  for  the  idea  of  any  crime  in  connection  with 
*iiat  noble-minded,  stainless  girl,  was  an  utter  and  most 
revolting  impossibility. 

"It  is  false,  you  miserable  hag! — you  second  Jezebel  I" 
he  said,  furiously.  "Dare  to  mention  my  daughter's 
name  in  association  with  any  crime  again,  and  by  all  the 
saints  !  I  will  he  tempted  to  forget  you  are  a  woman, 
and  strangle  you  on  the  spot !  " 

"  That  is  easier  said  than  done,"  said  Grizzle,  folding 
her  arms,  with  a  short  laugh.     "  Two  could  play  at  that 


i  1 


I 


S! 


4  I. 


i     i\ 


I    '[- 


IN 


72 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


game  and,  as  a  friend,  I  wouldn't  advise  you  to  try  it  with 
me." 

"  My  dear  sir,"  interposed  Disbrowe,  laying  his  hand 
Oil  liis  arm,  as  he  saw  the  storm  of  passion  rising  in  his 
uncle's  face,  "be  calm.  Do  no^.  heed  her  words.  Let 
nothing  be  done  until  Augusta  recovers,  and  then  let  us 
learn  from  her  what  mysterious  power  this  woman  has 
over  her,  ^nd  act  accordingly." 

« Ila  !  ha ! "  said  Grizzle,  mockingly.  "  You  think 
she  will  tell  you — don't  you ?  Dout  you  hope  she  may ? 
Yes,  I  will  wait  till  she  recovers.  I  have  no  other  inten- 
tion, my  handsome  young  friend,  and  you  will  *act  ac- 
cordingly.' Oh,  no  doubt  of  it ! "  And  she  sat  down, 
with  a  short  laugh. 

"  Shan't  I  go  for  a  doctor,  uncle  ?  "  said  Frank,  looking 
daggers  at  Grizzle.  "  And  I  can  bring  a  constable  up  from 
Green  Creek  at  the  same  time,  and  fix  this  old  witch's 
flint  for  her." 

"  No,  wait,  Frank  ;  don't  go,"  said  the  voice  of  Jac- 
quetta.  "Don't  go  yet.  Augusta  is  recovering.  We 
must  hear  what  she  says  before  you  go  for  any  one." 

Her  words  banished  everything  from  the  minds  of  all 
but  anxiety  for  Augusta.  All  gathered  round  her  sofa 
as  she  slowly  opened  her  heavy,  dark  eyes,  and  looked 
dimly  around. 

"  Augusta,  darling — my  precious  child  I  are  you  bet- 
ter ? "  said  her  father,  in  a  choking  voice,  as  he  knelt 
down  beside  her  and  took  her  hand. 

She  passed  her  hand  in  a  vague,  lost  sort  of  way  across 
her  forehead,  as  if  trying  to  recall  something  that  had  es- 
caped her  memory. 

"I  thought — I  thought — something  happened,  papa, 
didn't  it  ?  "  she  said,  confusedly. 

"  Do  not  talk — lie  still.  You  have  hurt  yourself,  dear- 
est. Shall  we  send  for  a  doctor  ?  "  said  Jacquetta,  softly 
kissing  the  pale  lips. 

The  wandering  eyes  still  roved  confusedly  around,  and 
the  pale  fingers  still  passed  wistfully  over  the  pale  brow. 
Grizzle  Howlet  arose  noiselessly  from  her  seat,  and  her 
tall  form  towering  upward  like  a  grim,  gray  stone  statue, 
at  last  arrested  the  lost,  vacant  gaze. 


THE  MIDNIGHT  MUSIC. 


73 


Slowly  over  the  beautiful  face  again  settled  that  look 
of  utter,  voiceless,  awful  horror.  The  small  hands  closed 
and  clenched  until  the  nails  pierced  the  delicate  palms, 
the  slight  form  grew  rigid  and  death-like,  and  a  grayness 
like  that  of  approaching  dissolution,  crept  over  every 
feature.  Once  or  twice  she  essayed  to  speak,  but  only  a 
choking,  dying  soun*^!  came  forth  from  her  blanched  lips ; 
and  in  the  glazing  eyes  and  colorless  face,  over  every 
other  feeling,  still  came  that  dreadful  look  of  unutterable 
horror. 

"  Augusta,  dearest  !  Oh  heavens !  Augusta,  what  is 
tlie  meaning  of  this  ?  "  gasped  Jacquetta,  in  terror. 

"  Oh,  my  God !  what  have  I  done  I  "  came  in  a  low, 
wailing,  passionate  cry  of  utter  despair,  from  the  white 
lips  of  Lady  Augusta. 

"  Oh,  my  sister !  my  darling  sister !  "  cried  Jacquetta, 
wringing  her  pale  fingers,  while  the  others  seemed  un- 
able to  speak,  "  what  is  this  ?  Oh,  Augusta,  what  does 
this  mean  ?  " 

"  What  it  would  strike  you  dead  with  horror  to  hear  ! 
What  T  would  sooner  be  bound  at  the  stake  than  reveal  I 
What  will  blight  my  life,  lose  my  soul,  consume  my  heart, 
make  every  moment  of  my  life  a  torture  such  as  you 
cannot  even  conceive  of  !  May  God  grant  me  a  speedy 
death !  "  she  cried,  passionately  ;  and  then,  dropping  her 
upraised  arm,  she  sunk  back,  deathlike,  and  collapsed. 

"  Oh,  Heaven  help  us  I  s';e  has  gone  crazy ! "  said 
Jacquetta,  still  wringing  her  pale  fingers  in  the  first 
paroxysm  of  her  terror  and  alarm :  while  her  father 
knelt,  Avith  his  face  hidden  in  his  hands,  in  speechless 
grief  ;  and  Disbrowe  and  Frank  looked  on  in  consterna- 
tion. 

"She  is  not  crazy,"  interrupted  the  harsh,  impatient 
voice  of  Grizzle ;  "  she  is  as  sane  as  you,  and  speaks  the 
truth.  Peace  ! "  she  said,  impetuously,  as  they  would 
have  interrupted  her.  "  I  will  speak  to  her,  and  end  this 
scene.  Miss  Augusta  De  Vere,  listen  to  me !  Ah  !  I  see 
you  are  doing  it,"  she  said  with  her  customary  sneer,  as 
she  beheld  the  wild,  dark  eyes  riveted,  with  a  strange, 
stony  glare,  to  her  face.  "  Your  father  wants  to  im- 
prison me  on  suspicion  of  robbery  and  murder,  and  if  he 


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74 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


inu 


does,  you  know  the  alternative/  One  word  from  you 
will  effect  ray  release — and — I  await  that  word  1  '* 

She  folded  her  mantle  closer  around  her  tall,  gaunt 
form,  and  stood  stiff  and  statue-like  in  her  usual  bolt 
upright  fashion,  waiting  as  calmly  as  though  it  were  the 
simplest  matter  in  the  world. 

"  Papa !  papa !  let  her  go  !  let  her  go  at  once  !  My 
eyes  loathe  the  sight  of  hvv !  "  cried  Augusta,  clasping 
her  hands  over  her  cv  *^^  w"  a  shudder  that  shook  her 
whole  frame. 

"Let  her  go?  Nevei  th-^  accursed  hag  ! "  cried  her 
father,  starting  up.  "  Sht,  shal'  -^wing  for  what  she  has 
done,  as  sure  as  there  is  law  or  justice  in  the  land  !  " 

"  Papa  !  "  almost  shrieked  Augusta,  half-springing  to 
her  feet,  "  you  do  not  know  what  you  are  saying !  Papa  I 
would  you  kill  me  ?  Oh !  let  her  go  at  once — for  my 
sake — for  your  own  sake — for  God's  sake  !  let  her  go  !  " 
she  cried,  falling  from  her  seat  prostrate  on  the  floor  at 
his  feet. 

"  Augusta  yoic  do  not  know  what  you  are  saying,"  said 
her  father,  almost  sternly,  as  he  raised  her  up.  "  This 
woman  is  a  murderess ! " 

"And  your  daughter  is  icorsef''  she  passionately  cried, 
flinging  herself  on  the  sofa,  and  then  starting  up  agaui, 
as  if  deranged  by  some  inward,  gnawing,  unutterable 
pain.  "  Oh,  saints  in  heaven !  what  will  become  of  me  ? 
Papa !  papa !  let  her  go,  if  you  would  not  see  me  dead 
at  your  feet  ! " 

She  was  terrific  to  look  at,  as  she  beat  her  clenched 
hand  on  her  breast,  and  tore  at  it  as  if  she  would  have 
plucked  out  the  n nondurable  agony  gnawing  there  ;  her 
eyes  starting  from  their  very  sockets  ;  her  face  as  awfully 
white  as  that  of  a  galvanized  corpse.  Even  Jacquetta 
shrunk  a  step  or  two  from  her,  in  momentary  horror. 

"  Mr.  De  Vere,  and  you  all,*'  cried  Grizzle,  with  one  of 
her  slow,  majestic  waves  of  the  arm  and  in  the  measured 
commanding  tones  she  had  formerly  used  on  the  stage, 
"listen  to  me.  You  see  the  power  I  have  over  this 
haughty  girl — a  real  power  ;  for,  mark  you,  it  is  no  im- 
aginary crime  she  accuses  herself  of,  but  one  that  would 
curdle  vour  heart's  blood  with  horror  to  hear — one  so  aw- 


THE  MIDNIGHT  MUSIC. 


75 


ful  that  it  is  nameless  !  Yes ;  so  seldom  is  it  heard  of,  that 
no  name  has  ever  been  given  to  it.  And  now,  Robert  De 
Vere,  proud  son  of  a  proud  sire,  as  sure  as  heaven  is 
above  us,  if  you  dc*  not  let  me  go  forth  free,  this  secret 
sin  shall  be  blown  over  the  length  and  breadth  of  the 
land,  to  your  everlasting  disgrace,  and  that  of  all  who 
bear  your  name.  Refuse,  and  your  daughter  will  either 
go  mad  or  die  at  youi*  feet !  Look  at  her,  and  see  if  she 
is  not  on  the  verge  of  madness  now  !  Consent,  and  I 
will  give  you  my  word — and,  what  is  more,  will  keep  it, 
too — never  to  molest  any  traveler  or  wayfarer  who  may 
stop  at  my  house  again — never!  I  confess  there  was 
one — but  only  one — we  robbed  and  silenced ;  and  It  is 
true  that  this  nephew  of  yours  might  have  share  <  v  e 
same  fate,  but  for  something  like  a  providential  ^rter  - 
sition — if  one  believed  in  such  things.  But  let  1..3  go 
free,  and  I  faithfully  promise  to  keep  your  cii^u 'b  ;er's 
secret  and  never  to  molest  any  one  again.  Refuse  me, 
and  it  will  be  at  your  peril  I " 

Let  her  go,  for  Heaven's  sake  I  "  exclaimed  L>isbrowe, 
"  before  you  drive  your  daughter  insane.  What  is  her 
life,  or  that  of  a  dozen  miserable  wretches  like  her  com- 
pared to  that  of  my  cousin  *?  " 

Grizzle  turned  her  eyes  on  him  with  her  sneering 
smile,  and  seemed  about  to  reply  ;  but  whether  intimi- 
dated by  the  bright,  fierce  light  in  the  young  soldier's 
eye,  or  unwilling  to  irritate  them  further,  she  prudently 
thought  better  of  it,  and  discreetly  held  her  tongue. 

"  Go,  then,"  said  Mr.  De  Vere,  trembling  ^vith  rage 
and  anguish  ;  "  and  may  Heaven's  worst  curses  go  with 
you ! " 

Grizzle  smiled  slightly  and  bowed,  and  met  Jacquetta's 
flashing  eye  with  a  look  of  exultant  triumph.  Returning 
it  with  one  of  mingled  defiance  and  disgust,  the  young 
girl  made  her  a  stern  motion  to  go,  and,  unlocking  the 
door,  held  it  open  for  her  to  pass. 

"  You  wear  yotir  chains  so  gracefully,  my  pretty  little 
dear,"  said  Grizzle,  as  she  went  out,  "  that  I  don't  know 
any  one  better  qualified  to  teac^^  your  sister  the  virtue 
of  resignation.  Whoever  wot  imagine  you  to  be — 
what  you  are?  " 


i  I 


76 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


"Bogone!"  exclaimed  Jaoquetta,  stamping  her  foot 
passionately. 

With  one  of  her  short,  scornful  laughs,  so  galling  to 
listen  to,  the  woman  passed  out  ;  and  Jacquetta,  turning 
suddenly  round,  met  the  eyes  of  Disbrowe  fixed  full  upon 
her  as  if  in  wonder  at  the  last  words.  To  his  surprise, 
her  bold,  bright  glance  fell,  and  her  face,  a  moment  be- 
fore deadly  pa^e,  grew  deepest  crimson — crimson  to  the 
very  edges  of  her  hair, — as  she  turned  away  and  averted 
her  head. 

Augusta  had  thrown  herself  on  her  face  on  the  sofa,  as 
the  wonum  went  out  ;  and  now  lay  as  still  as  if  the 
speedy  death  she  had  prayed  for  had  already  mercifully 
settled  her  agonized  heart-throbs. 

Tenderly  Jacquetta  bent  over  her,  and  essayed  to  raise 
her  up. 

"  Augusta,  dearest,  what  is  it  ?  Oh,  tell  me — tell  your 
fatlier !    Do  not  look  so  dreadfully  1  "  she  said,  imploringly. 

"  Oh,  let  me  go  to  my  room  I  Do  not  speak  to  me,  or 
I  shall  die  !  "  she  cried  out,  rising  up,  and  holding  out 
her  hands  before  her,  like  one  blind. 

"  Come,  then  ;  let  me  help  you,"  said  Jacquetta,  pass- 
ing her  arm  round  her  waist. 

As  she  turned  to  obey,  her  eye  fell  on  her  father,  sit- 
ting bowed  down  in  a  chair,  his  face  hidden  in  his  hands. 
The  next  instant,  she  was  kneeling  at  his  feet,  clasping 
his  kiiees.     • 

«  Papa,  dearest  papa,  speak  to  me,  your  own  Augusta ! 
Oh,  papa,  do  not  say  you  curse  me  for  what  I  have 
done  ! " 

"  Curse  you,  my  darling  child  ? "  he  said,  looking 
sorrowfully  up.  "  Oh,  Augusta,  what  have  you  done  ? 
What  is  this  you  have  done  ?  " 

"  Oh,  i^apa,  do  not  ask  me  !  "  she  exclaimed,  in  a  dying, 
despairing  voice.  "  It  would  kill  you  to  know  I  Only 
say  that,  if  ever  you  do  hear,  if  ever  it  is  known,  you 
will  not  curse  the  memory  of  your  miserable  child,  who 
will  not  live  long  to  grieve  you  now." 

«  Oh,  Augusta,  liush  !  What  are  you  saying  ?  "  whis- 
pered Jacquetta,  raising  her  up.  "  Come  with  me — come 
to  your  room." 


THE  MIDNIGHT  MUSIC. 


77 


"  Only  say  that,  papa  I  dearest,  kindest  pap.t  I  only  say 
that  you  will  never  curse  the  memory  of  your  wretched 
daughter  !  "  pleaded  Augusta  sinking  lower  and  lower  at 
his  feet. 

«  My  dear  child,  I  never  will.  God  bless  you  !  Go," 
he  said,  putting  one  trembling  hand  up  before  his  face. 

She  arose,  slowly  and  heavily,  and  suffered  Jacquetta 
to  lead  her  from  the  room. 

And  Mr.  De  Vere,  with  his  face  averted  and  hidden  by 
his  hand,  sat  perfectly  still,  his  drooping  head  and  the 
heaving  of  his  strong  chest  alone  betokening  his  emotion. 
Disbrowe,  lost  in  wonder,  stood  looking  out  of  the  win- 
dow on  the  deepening  night ;  and  Frank,  though  he 
would  have  been  inclined  to  knock  any  oiie  down  wlio 
would  have  ventured  to  insinuate  sucii  a  thing,  stood 
winking  both  eyes  at  once,  very  hard,  and  the  trees  Ixv 
fore  the  window  looked  crooked  as  if  seen  through 
tears. 

Presently  Jacquetta  returned,  and  coming  over  to  Dis- 
browe, touched  him  lightly  on  the  arm.  He  looked  down 
hi  lier  pale,  grave  face — so  different  from  the  sparkling, 
animated  countenance  of  the  morning — and  waited  to 
hear  what  she  had  to  say. 

"  You  will  pardon  me,  I  am  sure,  Captain  Disbrowe," 
she  said,  hurriedly,  "  after  what  you  have  seen  and 
heard,  if  I  suggest  the  propriety  of  your  retiring  at  once. 
You  will  not  find  any  of  us,  I  am  afraid,  very  entertain- 
ing companions  to-night ;  and  besides,  you  nmst  be  tired 
after  your  journey." 

"Most  certainly,"  said  Disbrowe,  cordially.  "I  was 
about  to  ask  permission  to  retire  as  a  favor.  I  hope  j\f  iss 
Augusta  will  be  better  to-morrow.  No  ;  don't  ring.  I 
can  find  my  room  myself.     Good  night." 

And  he  was  gone. 

Very  cheerful  did  his  pleasant  room,  with  its  bright 
fire,  look  that  evening,  chill  with  the  raw,  wintry  l)lasts 
of  early  April.  The  dark,  oaken  wainscotting  sparkled 
and  shone  in  the  ruddy  light  of  the  fire  and  the  stars  on 
the  walls  and  ceiling  were  fairly  blinding  in  their  glan- 
cing brightness.  But  brightest  of  all  still,  was  the  pic- 
tured face  that  smiled  down  on  him  from  over  the  man- 


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i  '  i. 


78 


THR  DARK  vSECRET. 


tel — that  bright,  pic|uant,  coquettish  litlU^  face,  so  differ- 
ent from  -the  dark,  gi-ave  one  he  had  seen  it  a  moment 
before. 

lie  drew  an  arm-chair  close  up  to  the  fire,  and  sat 
down  ;  and,  with  his  l)Oots  elevated  on  the  fender,  a  cigar 
between  his  lips,  his  handsome  head  leaning  agjiinst 
the  cushion^;  and  his  bright,  bold,  dark  eyes  fixed  in- 
tently upon  it,  he  liiy  and  watched.  Fitfully  that  witcth- 
ing  little  face  smiled  upon  him  from  iMjtween  the  l)luo 
curling  wreaths  of  scented  vapor,  and,  as  he  watched 
it,  a  curious  smile  broke  over  his  face,  as  if  in  answer. 
A  curious,  nuising  smile,  that  seemed  to  say:  "I  wonder 
if  I  could  make  tlie  original  smile  on  me  like  that,  if  1 
were  to  try."  Tie  glanced  with  that  same  inexplicable 
look  in  the  full-length  mirror,  and  the  tjill,  graceful  figure, 
tlie  bold,  handsome  face,  with  its  clustering  locks  of  rich 
brown  hair,  and  dark,  bright,  handsome  eyes,  were  cer- 
tainly not  likely  to  contradict  the  idea.  There  was 
nothing  of  the  fop  in  that  look,  however  ;  and  the  next 
moment  the  smile  was  gone,  the  cigar  in  the  fire,  and 
with  his  hands  in  his  x)ockets,  lie  was  pacing  up  and  down 
the  room,  and  whistling.  "Hear  me,  Norma." 

'^riien  he  thought  of  this  other  proud,  stately  cousin  of 
his,  this  haughty  Lady  Augusta,  this  "  true  De  Vere,'* 
and  every  other  feeling  was  merged  and  lost  in  wonder  ; 
and  the  Honorable  Alfred  Disbrowe  began  to  cogitate 
whether  he  had  not  got  among  a  lot  of  escaped  lunatics 
by  some  mistake  or  other.  Then  he  thought  of  old 
Grizzle  Ilowlet,  and  her  strange  power;  and  of  this 
mysterious  secret  and  hidden  crime  ;  and  became 
shocked,  and  revolted,  and  unbelieving  at  the  thought  of 
crime  with  this  proud,  noble-looking  girl.  Then  he 
thought  of  the  singularly  beautiful  Spanish  boy  he  had 
seen,  the  "little  brigand,"  as  he  inwardly  termed  him, 
and  became  puzzled  once  more  -for  something  about  him 
was  stitingely  yet  unaccouni  ibly  familiar.  Then  he 
thought  of  Captain  Nick  Tempest,  and  of  his  singular 
and  undefinable  resemblance  to  Jacquetta  ;  and  that 
brought  his  thoughts  back  to  where  they  had  started 
from.  And  resuming  his  seat  and  his  former  position,  he 
lit  another  cigar,  leaned  back,  and,  for  over  an  hour,  sat 


1 1 


THE  MIDNIGHT  MUSIC. 


79 


there  unci  wutclied  tlmt  portrait  witliout  once  removing 
his  eyes. 

At  lust  he  awoke  to  the  consciousness  that  it  was  be- 
ginning to  grow  late,  and  tliut  he  was  l)oth  tired  and 
sleepy  ;  and  rising  with  a  yawn,  ht;  bade  a  sort  of  nien- 
tid  ^()od-nig)it  to  his  silent  companion,  prepared  f(»r  bed, 
proU'stt'd  in  confidence  to  himself  that  the  sjiid  ])ed  was 
lil^e  some  old  tomb,  threw  himself  upon  :t,  and  in  ten 
minutes  was  sound  a.rleep. 

Hours  passed  ;  the  niglit  wore  on ;  the  lire  flickered  and 
smoldered  fitfully  ;  and  still  he  slept.  All  was  silent  as 
the  grave  through  the  vast  mansion,  when  suddenly,  with 
a  strange  start  and  a  shock,  nd  a  feeling  as  if  a  strong 
hand  was  on  his  throat,  he  sprung  up  in  bed — awak(; ! 

There  was  a  sound  in  the  air;  the  sound  of  music, 
soft,  sweet,  and  far  olf.  lie  awoke  l)ewildered,  and  looked 
around,  at  a  loss  to  know  where  he  was.  The  tire  sent 
out  a  sudden  jet  of  red-flame,  and  it  fell  bright  and  livid 
on  the  pictured  face  ;  and  it  seemed  to  him,  as  he  looked 
up,  that  the  eyes  were  alive  and  glared  flercely  and  redly 
down  upon  him,  with  a  weird,  unearthly  look.  The 
sight  restored  memory  ;  l)ut  still — was  he  walking  or 
dreaming  ? — the  air  was  full  of  music  yet. 

lie  sat  up  and  listened  breathlessly.  Such  music  as  it 
was,  in  the  dead  silence  of  the  lonesome  midnight  !  Soft, 
low  and  unexpressibly  sweet  ;  now  dying  away  in  a 
faint,  wailing  cry,  like  a  voire  in  pain ;  now  rising  softly 
and  sweetly  as  an  angel  voice ;  and  anon  swelling  out 
high,  grand  and  sultlime,  like  the  notes  of  a  triumphal 
march,  till  the  listener's  heart  bounded  in  time,  and  every 
pulse  leaped  as  if  he  had  been  a  Frenchman,  listening  to 
the  ^larseillaise.  Still  he  heard  it,  now  high,  now  low, 
now  wild  and  agonized  ;  now  soft,  j)laintive  and  sweet ; 
now  swelling  high  and  grand,  with  one  vast,  thundering 
crash,  and  again  dying  away  in  a  low,  sobbing  sound — as 
of  a  strong  heart  in  strong  agony.  Oh,  never  was  earthly 
music  like  that  !  Entranced,  enraptured,  he  sat  and 
listened,  dimly  Avondering  if  the  heavens  had  opened,  and 
those  were  angel  voices  he  heard,  chanting  once  again 
the  old,  sublime  strains  :  "  Peace  on  earth,  and  good  will 
to  men." 


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'1      V    \F. 


8o 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


'  It  dJed  away  at  last — died  away  in  a  long,  shuddering 
echo — its  faint  burden  shivering  with  pain  ;  and  then  the 
silence  of  the  grave  reigned.  For  hours  he  sat  listening, 
straining  his  hearing  to  catch  the  faintest  sound:  but 
nothing  met  the  ear  but  the  melancholy  sighing  of  the 
night- wind  around  the  old  house,  with  a  sound  inexpres- 
sibly dreary. 

Where  had  that  strange  music  come  from  ?  Not  from 
the  inhabited  part  of  the  house,  for  that  was  to  his  right. 
And  when  the  excitement  had  died  away,  and  he  could 
calmly  reflect  upon  it,  he  felt  positive  this  had  issued 
from  the  left  wing — the  old,  half- ruined,  deserted,  northern 
part  of  the  building.  Of  all  the  strange  and  unaccount- 
able things  that  had  puzzled  him  within  the  last  four- 
and-twenty  hours,  this  seemed  the  strangest  and  most 
unaccountable  of  all.  Again  a  red,  lambent  flame  shot 
out  from  the  dying  fire,  and  hovered  like  a  glory  around 
the  pictured  face  on  the  v/all  ;  and  it  seemed,  to  his  ex- 
cited fancy,  that  there  was  exultation  in  the  eye,  and 
derision  in  the  smile,  as  though  she  held  the  secret  and 
scotfed  at  his  ignorance.  Tired  out  at  last  with  watch- 
ing, he  again  lay  down  and  dreamed,  undisturbed,  of 
music,  and  Jacquetta  .and  handsome  Spanish  boys,  and 
little  selfish  girls,  and  old  witches  twenty  feet  higli,  until 
the  first  morning  sunbeam  peeped  through  the  star-cur- 
tained oriole  mndow,  and  fell  lovingly  and  warmly  as  a 
mother's  kiss  on  the  closed  lids  of  the  young  English- 
man's dark  eyes. 


CHAPTER   VIH. 


TUE  VENDETTA. 


"  '  Tlien  surely,'  said  the  lady's  knight, 
On  eaitli  I  may  not  be, 
Since  never  was  there  mortal  wight 
Heard  such  sweet  melody.'" 

—Old  Ballad. 

The  sun  was  high  in  the  heavens  ere  Captain  Dis- 
browe  awoke,  and,  sprniging  up,  he  leisurely  began  to 
dress,  ruminating  still  on  the  unaccountable  incidents  of 
the  preceding  night.     But  all  his  ruminations  ended  by 


THE  VENDETTA. 


8i 


1  i 


leaving  him  more  perplexed  than  ever;  and  the  face 
on  the  wall,  at  which  he  glanced  at  intervals,  smiled 
serenely,  and  suggested  nothing  to  help  him  out  of  his 
difficulty. 

"  Upon  my  soul,  I  believe  have  got  into  an  enchanted 
castle !  "  he  muttered,  tying  liis  cravat,  critically.  "  The 
Castle  of  Otronto  couldn't  hold  a  candle  to  it,  and  it 
beats  the  '  Mysteries  of  Udolpho '  all  to  sticks  I  How 
remarkably  fond  of  music  any  one  must  be  Avho  will  get 
out  of  their  comfortable  bed  in  the  *dead  waste  and 
middle  of  the  night '  to  serenade  the  bats  and  owls  in 
that  old  tower,  or  whatever  they  call  it !  Well,  every  one 
to  their  taste  ;  and  that  reminds  me  that  I  should  feel 
obliged  to  any  one  who  would  inform  me  whether  that 
face  is  pretty  or  not— for,  upon  my  word  and  honor,  I 
can't  decide." 

So  saying,  the  honorable  Alfred  left  his  room ;  and 
humming  the  fag-end  of  a  tune,  ran  down-stairs,  passed 
through  the  hall,  and  out  of  the  front  door  which  lay 
open  to  admit  the  breezy  morning  air  and  bright  sun- 
shine. 

It  was  a  pleasant  prospect  which  met  his  eye  that 
jocund  spring  morning.  Away  out  before  him  spread 
the  broad,  winding  avenue  of  shadowy  maples  just  begin- 
ning to  don  their  bright  spring  dress  ;  and,  further  still 
lay  the  road,  with  a  dense,  primeval  pine  forest  bound- 
ing the  view.  On  either  side  lay  the  broad  fields  and 
smooth  meadows  of  Fon telle,  and  away  behind  stretched 
out  the  faint  outline  of  blue,  shadowy  hills,  dying  out  in 
the  bluer  sky.  The  air  was  balmy  with  the  faint  odor 
from  the  pine  forest,  and  rung  and  resounded  with  the 
blithe  voices  of  numi)erless  birds,  up  and  hard  at  work  for 
the  day. 

While  the  young  guardsman  stood  leaning  negligently 
against  the  vast  stuccoed  pillars  that  supported  the  mas- 
sive doorway,  he  heard  a  footstep  l)ehind  him,  and  the 
next  moment  Frank  appeared,  l)right  and  cheery. 

"  Hallo  1  Up  already  ? "  was  his  salutation.  "  Nice 
morning,  ain't  it  ?  " 

Captain  Disbrowe  glanced  at  the  bright  sky  and 
brighter  sun,  and  not  being  able,  consistently  with  truth. 


o 


«> 


<•: 


t: 


■  i- 

t   ' 
f 

r 


;y    I 


I    c 


1    ^. 


Sz 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


to   deny  the  fact,  admitted   that  it   Avas  rather   a    nice 
morning. 

"  Beats  your  English  climate  slightly — don't  it !  "  said 
Frank.  "  Raiu,  and  drizzle,  and  mud  ;  and  then,  nuid, 
and  drizzle,  and  rain,  by  way  of  a  change.  Ugh!  I 
wouldn't  be  paid  to  live  in  such  a  i^lace  at  any  price  !  " 

"  Which  is  England's  loss,  if  she  only  knew  it,"  said 
Disbrowe,  lazily  ;  "  but  we  have  a  glimpse  of  sunshine 
there  occasionally,  my  young  friend — on  the  king's  birth- 
day, and  the  festival  of  8t.  George  and  the  Dragon,  and 
other  national  feasts  ;  so  it's  not  altogether  so  overwhelm- 
ing and  knock-down  a  sight  to  see  the  sun  as  you  might 
suppose.  Where  are  the  rest?  Everything  was  so  still 
I  thoaght  none  of  you  were  up." 

"  Up !  "  Siiid  Frank,  like  an  echo,  "  Doesn't  Jack  always 
beat  the  sun,  and  be  up  and  doing  an  hour  before  he  has 
the  faintest  idea  of  rousing  himself  for  his  day's  labor  ? 
I  guess  so  !  And  now  she's  off  over  the  hills  on  horse- 
back, and  has  most  likely  cleared  some  dozen  miles  be- 
fore this.  As  for  judging  by  the  stillness,  this  house 
always  goes  considerably  ah(^ad  of  the  Palace  of  Silence, 
or  the  Dead  Sea,  or  any  other  mute  and  solemn  old  tomb, 
I  flatter  myself,  in  that  article." 

« Indeed  !  By  the  way,"  said  Disbrowe,  carelessly,  <'  is 
all  the  building  inhabited — I  mean,  do  the  family  occupy 
the  whole  of  it  ?  " 

"  Oh,  no — not  near.  That  old  north  wing  over 
there — isn't  it  dismal-looking? — hasn't  been  occupied 
for  the  last  twenty  years  or  more.  You  see,  it  was  built 
as  near  like  Fontelle  Park  as  possible,  but  it  wasn't  con- 
venient in  the  old  style  ;  and  though  it  suited  England 
well  enough,  it  didn't  pay  in  America.  The  swallows 
built  their  nests  in  the  chinnieys,  and  they  smoked  like 
fury,  and  the  roof  leaked  in  wet  weather,  and  the  a\  indows 
were  small  and  dark,  and  the  rooms  were  large  and 
gloomy,  with  oak  wainscottings  ;  and,  altogether,  it  was 
a  dismal  old  barn  as  ever  was.  So  I'ncle  Rob  had  the 
southern  wing  built  ;  and  that,  with  the  right  half  of 
this  middle  part,  is  all  we  occupy." 

"  Ah  ! "  said  Disbrowe,  thoughtfully,  "  and  you  are 
quite  sure — " 


THE  VENDETTA. 


83 


« I'm  quite  sure  that's  Jixck,"  cut  in  Frank,  suddenly. 
''There  she  goes!  Ain't  she  a  tip- top  rider?  Look  at 
that ! — now  watch  her  clear  that  fence  !  " 

A  high  fence,  with  a  sliarp,  spiked  top,  was  right  in  tlie 
way  of  the  rider,  as  she  came  sweeping  down,  mounted 
on  a  splendid  black  Arabian — a  fence  that  would  have 
made  even  the  fuiished  rider.  Captain  Disbro we,  mounted 
on  his  superb  8aladin,  piiuse  ;  but  it  stoppetl  not  the 
course  of  the  spirited  little  equestrian,  who  came  dashing 
along.  Backing  her  horse  for  the  leap  over  it,  she  dashed 
in  splendid  style  ;  and  then,  relaxing  into  a  trot,  she 
ambled  up,  and,  lifting  her  eyes,  saw  the  two  si>ectators. 

"  Good-morning,  Captain  Disbrowe,"  she  said  touching 
her  plumed  riding-hat  gallantly.  "  Why  didn't  you  get 
up  and  take  a  gallop  mth  me  over  the  hills  this  bright 
morning,  for  the  benefit  of  your  health  and  appetite,  in- 
stead of  lying  lazily  in  bed?  Oh,  I  forgot,"  she  added, 
with  a  saucy  glance  and  a  light,  breezy  laugh,  iis  she 
sprung  off,  "  you're  a  true-born  Englishman,  and  fond  of 
creature  comforts,  and  taking  your  ease.  Here,  William, 
take  my  horse." 

"  Not  so  fond  of  either.  Miss  Jacquetta,"  he  said  piqued 
at  her  look  and  tone,  "l)ut  that  I  would  gladly  have 
given  both  up  for  a  ride  with  my  charming  little  cousin, 
if  I  had  known  it  in  time." 

"  Well,  mind  for  the  future  ;  for  I  don't  intend  to  take 
compliments,  or  any  small  corns  of  that  sort,  in  return,  for 
il  want  of  gallantry.  T  hope  you're  a  pretty  good  rider, 
Cousin  Alfred,  and  won't  mind  risking  your  neck  now 
and  then  over  the  moimtains — or  else  it  will  never  do  for 
you  to  ride  with  me." 

"Who  would  not  risk  his  neck,  my  fairy  sprite,  for  the 
sake  of  attending  you  ?  Who  could  wish  for  a  fairer 
death  than  meeting  it  ni  the  service  of  so  bewitching  a 
mountain  queen?  Ah  !  wouldn't  I  risk  my  neck  joyfully, 
if  I  thought  it  w  ould  draw  one  tear  from  you,"  said  Dis- 
browe, in  a  mock-heroic  strain. 

"  Upon  my  word,  then,  I  don't  think  it  would,"  said 
Jacquettii,  composedly.  "I'm  not  given  to  crying  much 
myself,  as  a  general  thing,  and  wlt'ii  I  do,  it's  only  for 
sensible  people  ;  and  I  consider  tliat  any  one  who  would 


I 


'  1 


n 


84 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


*  risk  his  neck  joyfully,'  just  to  make  one  drop  a  tear, 
would  be,  to  draw  it  mild,  an  unmitigated  donkey  !  Now, 
there  I " 

She  sprung  up  beside  him  as  she  spoke  ;  and  snatch- 
ing off  her  hat,  began  s\vinging  it  by  the  strings.  Dis- 
browe  met  her  bright,  saucy,  defiant  glance,  and  at  last 
decided  that  she  was  pretty.  Yes,  Jacquetta  De  Vere 
was,  undeniably,  pretty,  and  looked  her  very  best  at  that 
moment.  The  small,  straight,  lithe  figure  was  set  off  to 
perfection  l)y  the  close-fitting,  dark-blue  riding  habit ;  the 
gray  eyes  were  flashing  and  sparkling  like  twin  stars  ; 
the  short,  red,  silky  curls  danced  and  glittered  in  spiral 
rings  around  the  white,  polished,  boyish  forehead  ;  the 
cheeks  were  like  spring  roses,  and  the  mirthful  glance 
and  mocking  smile  were  the  living  reality  of  the  picture. 
Breezy  and  bright  she  stood  there,  every  saucy,  piquant 
feature  of  her  piquant  little  face  sparkling  with  youth, 
life,  beauty  and  an  exultant  sense  of  freedom,  reminding 
him  of  some  half-tamed  thing — some  shy,  wild,  fierce 
young  eaglet,  dangerous  to  touch  too  closely ;  the  least 
dignified  De  Vere  he  had  ever  seen,  perhaps ;  but  cer- 
tainly the  most  bewitching.  Not  a  trace  of  last  night's 
grave  trouble  remained  ;  and  Disbrowe  scarcely  knew 
whether  the  whole  thing  was  not  part  of  a  dream. 

"  By  the  way,"  said  Jacquetta  slapping  her  gaiter  with 
her  riding- whip,  and  giving  him  a  mer:. y  Tjlance.  "  1 
made  a  conquest  this  morning." 

"  Well,  that  is  nothing  wonderful — i^  it :  '•  said  Dis- 
browe, '  for  you,  who  have  only  to  see  to  conquer  ?  " 

"  Ah  to  be  sure !  I  never  thouglit  of  that.  See  what 
it  is  to  have  a  long  head.  But  this  was  something  un- 
usual— something  to  be  proud  of.  Oh  !  gracious  !  wasn't 
he  a  darling '? " 

"  What  was  it  ?  "  said  Disbrowe.  "  A  grizzly  bear,  or 
a  catamount,  or  a  m.an-monkey  ?  I  don't  see  Avhat  else 
you  could  very  well  meet  in  these  savage  regions." 

"No,  cT,"  Raid  Jacquetta,  indignantly,  "It  was  the 
most  splendiiMookiiig  little  foreigner — oh,  my !  Oh,  such 
eyes,  such  fe«,tiirf^s,  such  a  superb  little  form,  sucli  dainty 
hands  and  iVci,  ^idi  hair!" — /md  Jacquetta  shook  her 
own  curb  1  ,ul  Idi  its  red  ringlets  glanced  again — "and 


THE  VENDETTA. 


85 


such  a  dress!  Good  gracious!  And  then  the  "way  he 
doffed  his  plumed  cap  and  made  me  such  a  courtly  how, 
was  a  sight  to  see,  not  to  hear  of.  Oh,  the  little  dar- 
ling ! "  said  Jacquetta,  going  off  into  a  small  rapture. 

"  Why,  it  must  have  been  the  brigandish  foreigner  I 
met  at  the  Mermaid  Inn,"  said  Disbrowe.  "  Where  did 
you  see  him  ?  " 

"  Taking  a  stroll  over  the  hills,  and  I  have  not  the  faint- 
est symptom  of  a  heart  left  ever  since,"  said  Jacquetta. 

"  TIow  I  wish  I  w6re  him  !  "  said  Disbrowe,  sighing. 

"Well,  you're  not  him,  you  see  !  Oh  !  I  forgot  to  ask 
you  how  did  you  rest  last  night — pretty  hostess,  ain't  IV" 

"  Very,"  said  Disbrowe,  emphatically,  and  looking  un- 
utteral)le  things  ;  but  Jaccjuetta  only  laughed  :  "  and  I 
rested  very  well,  thank  you  ;  l)ut  there  was  rather  a  sin- 
gular thing  happened  about  uiidnight." 

"  Indeed  !  what  was  it  ?  "  said  Jacquetta,  with  a  stai  t, 
and  fixing  her  bright  eyes  full  upon  him. 

"  A  very  pleasant  incident,  but  rather  unaccountable — 
the  sound  of  music,  the  strangest,  sweetest,  wildest  strains 
I  ever  heard,  and  seemingly  issuing  from  yonder  deserted 
part  of  the  building.  What !  good-heavens !  have  I 
frightened  you,  my  dear  cousin  ?     You  are  fainting." 

"  No,  I  am  not  ;  it  is  nothing,"  she  gasped  ;  but,  as  if 
by  magic,  the  light  had  been  stricken  from  her  eye,  the 
rose  from  her  cheek,  the  brightness  from  her  face,  and  a 
look,  so  white,  so  haggard,  so  shuddering,  came  over  her, 
that  faint  and  sick  she  grasped  the  pillar  for  supyn-t,  and 
pressed  her  hand  hard  on  her  heart,  whose  tui  Ituous 
throbbing  ccnild  almost  be  heard. 

So  appalling,  so  terrifying,  so  instantaneous  was  the 
change,  that  Disbrowe  was  thunderstruck.  Tl  11,  as  she 
still  stood  holding  on  to  the  pillar,  deathly  white,  and 
shivering  through  all  her  frame,  he  caught  hei  .  his  arms, 
fearing  slie  would  faint  and  fall. 

The  action  seemed  to  galvanize  her  into  spasmodic  life. 
With  a  wild  jarring  cry,  that  awoke  the  echoes,  she  sprung 
from  his  retaining  arms,  and  held  out  her  own  blindly,  as 
if  to  keep  him  ofl\ 

"  Off,  off ! "  she  cried,  passionately.     "  Touch  -..le  not  I  *' 

"  Why,  Jack  !     Good  gracious,  Jack  !  what  stt  you  off 


I 


If  f 


<  fi 


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.!  1^ 


¥¥ 


86 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


in   this  gale  ?"  sjiid   Frank,  in  astouishnient,  as  he  re- 
turned after  a  moment's  absence. 

*  "  Nothing  !  Hush  !  "  She  grasped  Disbrowe's  arm 
with  a  convulsive  pressure,  and  made  a  motion  for  liim  not 
to  speak.  At  tiiat  iiustant  he  s^iw  lier  face  white  and  ter- 
rified ;  the  next,  as  she  turned  it  to  Frank,  it  was,  tliough 
pale,  perfectly  calm  and  composed.  "  I  wish  you  would 
go  to  the  stable,  Frank,  and  see  that  William  attends 
properly  to  Liglitnmg.  He  Iws  had  a  hard  ride  this 
morning,  and  needs  looking  after.     That's  a  good  boy." 

Frank  darted  off,  and  Jacquetta's  face  was  averted  for 
a  moment,  as  she  gazed  after  him.  When  she  turned  it 
£^in  to  Disbix)we,  it  was,  though  slightly  pale,  cool  and 
composed  as  ever  and  as  she  met  his  astonished  glance 
she  laughed  in  his  face. 

"  I  rather  think  the  ca.se  is  reversed,  and  I  have  fright- 
ened yod,  my  good  cousin.  Why,  Captain  Disbrowe,  I 
would  n':it  have  Frank  hear  the  story  of  that  ghostly 
music  for  any  earthly  consideration.  It  would  l)e  all  over 
the  coiuitry  in  a  jiffy,  that  the  house  is  haunted.  Are 
you  quite  sure  y<>u  wei'e  not  dreaming,  cous'n  Alf  ?  " 

"Quite,"  said  Disbrcn^e,  bruscpiely. 

"Ah!  Well,  it  maj'^  have  been  an  ^Eolian  harp,  or 
aoiT?ething — most  likely  it  was.  Ajid  then  the  wind  blew 
pretty  hard  List  night.  Or  it  may  have  been  cats — our 
Thomas  is  musically  given,  and  entertains  a  select  party 
of  friends  every  night  in  tii.^  corridors  of  the  north  wing. 
Are  you  s'^re  it  was  not  the  cats,  cousin  ?  "  said  Jacquetta, 
cutting  the  air  with  her  whip,  and  again  laughing. 

'  Perfectly  sure,  Miss  Jacquetta.  Neither  my  hearing 
no"  my  eyesight  deceive  me  often,"  he  replied  pointedly. 

"  Oh  ]  don't  they  ?  You  are  wider  awake,  then,  than 
the  generality  of  your  countryuien.  Perhaps  there  are 
ghosts  there,  then,  and  you  heard  the  music  of  the  Dance 
of  Death.  Ugh  !  it's  enough  to  give  one  the  horrors  to 
think  of  it !  This  comes  of  building  houses  m  the  old 
English  style,  instead  of  any  decent  C'hristian  fashion.  I 
always  heard  that  gliosts  and  rats  were  particularly  fond 
of  old  houses  ;  but  I  never  knew  of  my  owii  knowledge  be- 
fore. It's  lucky  you  told  me,  instead  of  any  weakminded 
person  with  a  belief  in  the  supernatural.     Be   sure  you 


THH  VENDETTA. 


don't  mention  it  to  any  one  else — above  all,  to  uncle 
or  Frank ! " 

The  last  words  were  acconi}>cinied  hy  a  brief,  bright 
fliish  of  Iter  eye,  that  said,  as  plain  as  words :  "  If  you  do 
tell,  it  won't  be  well  for  you."  Captain  Disbrowe  under- 
stood it,  and  replied  by  a  slifi^ht  ))ow  and  slighter  smile  ; 
and  llien  said,  to  turn  the  eonvei'sation,  whieh  annoyed 
him  somehow,  though  he  could  scarcely  tell  why  : 

'^llow  is  3fiss  Augusta  this  morning?" 

"  Better,  T  believe.  I  am  going  to  see  her  now,  and  an 
revot'r  till  br€nikt'ast-time."  And  humming  a  Venetian 
barcarole,  and  still  swinging  her  jaunty  riding-hat  by  the 
strings,  she  tripped  liglitly  away. 

Disbrowe  stooil  and  watched  the  light,  small,  fairy  fig- 
ure until  it  disapi^eared,  more  thoroughly  puzzled  than  he 
had  ever  been  befoi'e  in  his  life. 

•'  Strange  inexplicable  girl  !  "  fie  mused  ;  "  who  can  un- 
derstand her  ?  She  is  an  enigma,  a  riddle,  a  puzzle,  a 
Gordian  knot  of  tangles  and  inconsistencies.  I  wonder 
if  it  would  be  worth  the  time  and  troulJe  unraveling 
said  knot,  or  if  it  would  be  altogether  safe  ?  " 

The  same  curious  smile  that  had  dawned  on  his  face 
the  night  before,  while  watching  her  picture,  broke  over 
it  again,  and  once  more  he  begtin  whistling  the  air,  of 
"  Hear  me,  Norma,"  as  on  that  occasion,  with  the  look  of 
one  who  would  give  himself  a  reminder. 

To  the  suri)rise  of  Disbrowe,  Lady  Augusta  appeared 
at  breakfast ;  and  save  that  her  face  was  cold  and  lifeless 
as  marble,  and  her  eyes  had  a  dead,  fixed  settled  look  of 
hopeless  despair,  no  trace  remained  of  the  preceding 
evening's  terrible  agitation.  Mr.  De  Vere  looked  jmle, 
and  grave,  and  troubled  ;  but  Jaequetta  appeared,  though 
a  little  subdued,  in  excellent  spirits,  and  kept  up  an  un- 
flagging flow  of  words. 

After  breakfast,  accompanied  by  Mr.  De  Vere,  he  went 
over  the  gi'ounds,  admired  the  scene '-y  and  the  houses, 
though  inwardly  chafing  at  the  occupation,  when  he 
wo'^  1  much  rather  have  been  in  the  i>arlor  with  Jae- 
quetta. But  he  was  not  doomed  to  see  much  of  that 
young  lady  that  day  ;  for,  immediately  after  dinner, 
Frank  informed  him  that  she  had  ridden  off  somewhere 


Ff.* 


•1 


!  n 


II. 


I 


88 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


alone,  to  visit  a  sick  widow  who  lived  in  a  cottage  among 
the  hills.  And  he  furthermore  learned  that  Miss  Jac- 
quetta  had  quite  a  long  list  of  proteges  of  one  kind  and 
another,  from  ill-used  dogs  up  to  (with  reverence  be  it 
said)  sick  widows  and  friendless  or])hans. 

For  some  cause  or  another,  the  Honorable  Alfred  Dis- 
browe  felt  extremely  dissatisfied  about  something.  This 
was  a  pretty  way  to  entertain  him  after  coming  all  the 
way  from  England,  riding  off  and  leaving  him  alone,  as  if 
he  was  of  no  more  consequence  than  William,  the 
hostler.  Vq  felt  irritated  and  chagrined  ;  and  if  the 
truth  must  be  told,  his  vanity  was  more  than  slightly 
wounded  by  her  high,  supreme  indifference  to  the  hand- 
some lady-killer  who  hitherto  had  found  himself  so  irresis- 
tible. 

Having  worked  himself  into  a  pretty  severe  state  of 
misanthropy,  he  took  advantage  of  a  short  absence  on  the 
part  of  Frank,  and  resolved  to  have  a  ride  over  the  hills 
oil  his  own  account.  There  was  a  remote  possibility — 
judging  from  all  he  had  heard — that  he  might  break  his 
neck  ;  but  in  his  present  humor  the  idea  rather  pleased 
him  than  othermse,  as  it  would  leave  Jacquetta  a  victim 
to  remorse  and  black  bombazine  all  the  rest  of  her  days ;  so 
off  he  rode,  half-hoping  he  might  meet  with  some  direful 
accident  that  woivkl  awaken  that  flinty-hearted  piece  of 
femininity  to  the  error  of  her  ways. 

Gradually,  as  he  rode  on,  he  fell  into  deep  thought,  and 
suffered  his  horse  to  go  as  he  pleased.  The  events  of  the 
last  few  days  gave  him  enough  to  think  about ;  but  in 
all  his  dreams  and  cogitations,  the  image  of  Jacquetta 
ever  rose  upperr^iost,  haunting  him  like  a  waking  night- 
mare. Sometimes  he  saw  the  little  face  in  its  clustering 
red  curls  ;  and  the  more  he  thought  of  her  red  hair,  the 
more  he  detested  it — mocking,  taunting,  sparkling,  de- 
fiant ;  sometimes  he  saw  it  pale,  grave  and  troubled  ;  and 
now  he  beheld  it  white,  shuddering,  and  wild  as  when  he 
had  told  her  of  the  mysterious  music.  Bat  in  whatever 
mood,  it  was  the  same  face,  framed  in  red  hair,  and  it 
blotted  out  everything  else. 

Suddenly  he  was  aroused  from  his  dreams  and  visions, 
in  a  startling  way.     A  hand  clutched  his  bridle-rein,  and 


THE  VENDETTA. 


89 


the  cold  muzzle  of  a  pistol  pointed  directly  at  his  head. 
lie  looked  up,  as  well  he  might,  and  found  himself  in  a 
lonely  valley,  lying  between  two  high  hills — a  wild  deso- 
late-looking spot,  without  a  single  human  habitation,  save 
one  little  hut  on  the  brow  of  the  furthest  hill.  The  man 
who  clutched  his  bridle-rein  was  Captain  Nick  Tempest 
and  his  upturned  face  was  the  face  of  a  demon. 

"  So  we  have  met  again,  my  young  friend,"  said  the 
captain.  "And  this  time  I  may  show  you  the  way — 
mayn't  I  ?  And  by  the  Lord  Ihu  ry  !  I  will,  too,  show 
you  the  way  to  the  infernal  region  in  double  quick 
time  ! " 

The  young  Englishman  was  unarmed,  and  the  full 
danger  of  his  situation  rushed  upon  him  at  once.  Alone 
in  this  lonely  place,  unarmed  and  in  the  power  of  tliis 
savage  cutthroat,  whom  he  had  made  his  mortal  enemy  I 
Yet  it  only  had  the  effect  of  doing,  what  it  did  once  before, 
making  his  face  set  and  stern  and  his  nerves  like  steel. 

"  Do  you  know  what  the  Corsican  vendetta  means,  my 
haughty  English  friend  ?  "  said  the  captain  with  a  dia- 
bolical sneer.  "  If  you  do,  then  learn  that  no  Corsican 
ever  vowed  a  more  deadly  vendetta  than  did  I  when  you 
struck  me,  or  will  keep  it  in  a  more  deadly  way.  Look 
at  that !  " — he  almost  shrieked,  while  his  face  grew  livid 
and  distorted  with  passion  as  he  pointed  to  a  raw,  red, 
quivering  cut  across  his  face — "  that  is  your  handiwork, 
and  if  I  was  dying  and  could  win  heaven  by  doing  it,  I 
would  never  forgive  you  !  Never  I  by — "  And  he  ut- 
tered a  fearful  oath. 

"  I  haven't  asked  you  to,"  said  Disbrowe,  meeting  his 
ferocious  glare  steadily. 

"  No  ! "  he  shouted  ;  "  for  it  would  be  useless  !  Out  of 
this  you  will  never  stir  alive  !  You  are  here  ;  beyond 
all  human  help,  completely  in  my  power,  and  your  doom 
is  sealed  I " 

He  raised  the  pistol  as  he  spoke,  but  dropped  it  again 
at  a  sound  that  startled  both  him  and  the  young  English- 
man, and  both  turned  to  behold  an  unlooked-for  appari- 
tion. 


If'"    '"^ 


J  1 


go 


THE  DARK  vSKCRET. 


CHAPTER  IX. 


JACINTO. 

"  By  nipht  the  lieavy  doors  are  drawn, 
Tho  castle  stands  alone  ; 
But  in  the  cliamberH,  till  the  dawn, 
Unquiet  spirits  move." 

It  was  n,  wild  ory — a  woman's  shrill  shriek,  that  had 
startled  them  ;  but  looking  round,  they  saw  no  woman — 
only  the  Si)iinisli  boy,  Jacinto,  who  came  flying  toward 
them,  uttering  cry  after  cry,  as  no  boy  ever  did  before.  It 
was  an  apparition  so  unlooked-for,  so  unexpected,  that  both 
forgot,  for  an  instant,  what  was  to  follow — the  one,  his 
imminent  danger,  and  other,  his  demoniac  vengeance ; 
and  before  either  had  recovered,  the  boy  was  standing 
beside  Disbrowe,  holding  out  his  arms,  before  him,  as  if  he 
would  have  interx)osed  that  frail  barrier  to  shield  his  life. 

"  Spare  him — spare  him  I "  cried  the  boy,  in  piercing  ac- 
cents. "  Oh,  Captain  Tempest !  for  the  love  of  Heaven, 
spare  his  life  I  " 

The  young  Englishman,  taking  advantage  of  the  mo- 
mentary confusion,  made  an  attempt  to  wrest  the  pistol 
from  his  enemy's  grasp  ;  but  the  hawk-like  eye  of  Captain 
Tempest  detected  the  motion,  and  quick  as  lightning 
he  sprung  back,  took  deliberate  aim,  and  fired. 

With  a  mighty  shriek  of  more  than  mortal  anguish, 
Jacinto  had  flung  his  arms  around  the  young  guardsman ; 
and  with  the  momentary  start  the  cry  gave  the  ruffian, 
the  ball  sped  from  its  aim,  and  the  next  instant  the  right 
arm  of  the  young  Spaniard  dropped  lifeless  by  his  side, 
and  with  a  groan  he  sunk  senseless  on  the  ground. 

"  Villain !  demon  !  "  shouted  the  young  man,  maddened 
by  the  sight.  "  You  have  killed  him ! "  And  in  an 
instant  he  had  sprung  off  his  horse,  and  grasped  Captain 
Nick  by  the  throat  ere  he  could  draw  a  second  pistol 
from  his  belt. 

With  a  fearful  oath  of  mingled  rage  and  disappointment 
at  missing  his  aim,  the  captain  closed  with  his  adversary, 
and  a  deadly  struggle  ensued.     It  was    a  struggle  that 


JACINTO. 


9« 


would  not  have  Listed  long,  for — though  Disbrowe  hud 
the  iidvaiitiige  of  youth  and  agility — (Jai)taiii  'IVniiK'st 
was  a  perfect  giant  in  strength,  and  he  had  griisped  the 
young  man  in  an  iron  grasp  with  one  hand,  while  with 
the  other  he  tugged  at  a  liuge,  glistening  knife,  when  ho 
unexpectedly  found  himself  seiztid  from  l)ehind  by  some 
huge  monster,  that  held  him  as  if  he  was  in  a  vise,  and 
obliged  him  to  n^lax  his  hold. 

"ITold  him,  Lion!  hold  him,  my  boyl"  exclaimed  a 
spirited  voice,  at  the  same  moment.  "  That's  a  good  dog  I 
Now,  then — what's  all  this  about  'i  " 

Disbrowe  looked  uj),  and  saw,  to  his  astonishment,  no 
other  than  Miss  Jaequetta  De  Vere  sitting  on  her  horse, 
and  looking  on  the  scene  as  coolly  ajid  (;omposedly  as 
though  it  was  a  little  tableau  got  up  for  her  express 
amusement.  Her  horse's  hoofs  on  the  soft  turf  had  been 
noiseless ;  so  they  had  not  heard  her  approach.  Step- 
ping back,  Disbrowe  took  off  his  hat,  and  shook  back  his 
clustering  hair  off  his  flushed  face,  and  glanced  around 
before  speaking.  Saladin  stood  snorting  and  pawing  the 
ground  with  terror,  at  a  little  disUmce  ;  Jacinto  lay  on  his 
face  senseless  at  his  feet,  his  coat-sleeve  saturated  with 
blood ;  and  Captain  Nick  Tempest,  foaming  at  the  mouth, 
was  struggling  furiously  in  the  grasp  of  a  huge,  flerce-look- 
mg  dog — who,  with  one  eye  on  his  mistress,  was  evidently 
grimly  resolved  to  hold  him  while  he  had  a  tooth  in  his 
head. 

"  Well,"  said  Jaequetta,  after  a  pause,  during  which 
her  eye  had  followed  Disbrowe's,  "you've  been  getting 
yourself  into  a  scrape,  I  see,  my  good  consul.  You  should 
not  have  ridden  out,  you  perceive,  until  I  was  ready  to  go 
along  and  take  care  of  you.  Gussie,  easy,  my  dear  sii' " 
— to  Captain  Nick  Tempest,  who  was  writhing  and  curs- 
ing at  an  awful  rate — "  don't  swear  so,  and  don't  struggle 
in  that  way  ;  for  if  the  broadcloth  gives  way,  perhaps 
you  won't  find  Lion's  teeth  very  comfortable,  and  per- 
haps I  shan't  be  able  to  keep  him  from  cheating  the  hang- 
man, and  perhaps  I  won't  try,  either  I  What  is  the 
matter,  cousin  Alfred,  and  who  is  this  lying  on  the 
ground  ?  Why,  he's  wounded  I  Good  heavens !  has  ho 
been  shot  ?  " 


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(71«)  •72-4503 


92 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


She  leaped  off  her  horse  as  she  spoke,  and  bent  over 
Jacinto,  as  Disbrowe  knelt  down  and  raised  him  in 
his  arms.  The  beautiful  face  was  cold  and  still  as  marble, 
and  the  lips  were  blanched  to  a  deadly  whiteness.  The 
wounded  arm  hung  heavy  and  lifeless  by  his  side,  and 
his  head  fell  over  Disbrowe's  arm  as  though  he  were  in 
reality  deiid. 

"  Oh,  cousin !  is  he  dead  ?  "  cried  Jacquetta,  falling  on 
her  knees  beside  him. 

"Not  dead,"  said  Disbrowe,  laying  his  hand  on  his 
heart,  which  still  fluttered  faintly ;  "  not  dead,  but  in  a 
swoon ;  and  his  arm  is  shattered,  I  greatly  fear." 

«  Oh,  poor  boy — poor  boy  !  "  said  Jacquetta,  sorrowful- 
ly.    "  Oh,  cousin  !  who  had  the  heart  to  do  this  ?  " 

"That  monster  there!  May  Heaven's  worst  curses 
light  on  him  I "  exclaimed  Disbrowe,  fiercely.  "  Where 
can  we  bring  him,  Jacqu^^tta  ?  Something  must  be  done 
immediately." 

"  Bring  him  to  Fontelle — there  is  no  other  place  where 
he  can  be  brought,  and  it  is  not  more  than  two  miles  from 
this.  Lift  him  before  you  on  your  horse,  and  ride  fast. 
But,  tell  me  how  it  happened.  Did  this  man  intend  mur- 
dering him  ?  " 

"  No — no.  He  intended  to  murder  me  ;  and  this  poor 
boy,  in  his  effort  to  save  my  life,  received  the  ball  meant 
for  me,"  said  Disbrowe,  as  he  raised  the  almost  lifeless 
and  limber  form  in  his  arms. 

"  What  a  beautiful  face ! "  exclaimed  Jacquetta,  m- 
voluntarily — forgetting,  for  an  instant,  everything  but 
the  wondrous  be.*uty  of  the  lad. 

As  she  spoke,  the  boy  opened  his  eyes,  and  they  fell 
upon  the  handsome,  troubled  face  bending  over  him,  and, 
with  a  faint  exclamation,  he  attempted  to  rise ;  but  at  the 
motion  a  spasm  of  intense  pain  shot  across  his  pale  face, 
and  shuddering  through  all  his  frame,  his  head  dropped 
heavily  on  Disbrowe's  breast. 

"  My  poor  boy  I "  said  Disbrowe,  compassionately,  "  do 
not  attempt  to  rise.  Your  arm  is  broken,  I  fear ;  but  I  will 
take  you  where  you  will  be  carefully  nursed." 

"  No.  Let  me  go ;  put  me  down — I  must  go,"  said  the 
boy,  wildly,  making  another  attempt  to  free  himself ;  but 


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JACINTO. 


93 


his  voice  was  faint  and  sharp  with  agony,  and  his  face 
twitched  convulsively  with  the  almost  unendurable  pain^ 
and  once  more  he  sunk  back,  white  and  fainting. 

Disbrowe's  only  reply  was  to  place  him  upon  his 
horse,  and  then  leap  into  the  saddle  ;  while,  ^vith  a  groan 
that  all  his  efforts  could  not  repress,  the  poor  boy's  head 
dropped  heavily  on  his  shoulder. 

"  What  is  to  be  done  with  this  scoundrel  who  assault- 
ed you  ?  "  said  Jacquetta.  "  Shall  I  order  Lion  to  keep 
him  here  till  we  can  return  Avith  men  to  arrest  him? 
Eh?" 

Captain  Tempest's  reply  to  this  proposition  was  an 
appalling  volley  of  oaths,  as  his  livid  face  grew  a  shade 
more  ghostly,  and  he  shook  his  clenched  fist  furiously  at 
Jacquetta  in  impotent  passion. 

"  No,  let  him  go  ;  let  Captain  Tempest  go,"  said  Jacinto, 
faintly,  lifting  his  head  for  an  instant,  and  then  dropping 
it  again. 

"  Let  him  go,  since  the  lad  desires  it,"  said  Disbrowe, 
after  a  moment's  hesitation.  "  I  shall  be  on  ray  guard 
for  the  future,  and  will  not  be  taken  at  a  disadvantage 
again." 

"  Very  well,"  said  Jacquetta,  as  she  fearlessly  ap- 
proached the  raving  savage  ; "  but  first,  rny  dear  sir,  I  will 
trouble  you  for  that  pistol.  Before  Lion  lets  you  off  the 
limits,  you  must  stand  and  deliver." 

Captain  Nick  furiously  hurled  the  pistol  at  Lcr  feet. 

"  Thank  you,"  said  Jacquetta,  coolly,  as  she  picked  up 
the  weapon  and  examined  it.  "  Loaded,  I  see — all  right  I 
Here,  Lion — here,  my  boy  ;  let  him  go ! " 

With  a  sullen  growl  like  his  angry  namesake,  that 
showed  how  much  against  his  better  judgment  he  com- 
plied. Lion  obeyed,  and  trotted  over  to  the  side  of  his 
young  mistress,  still  displaying  a  formidable  array  of 
teeth. 

"  Now,  be  off  at  once,"  shouted  Jacquetta,  in  a  high, 
ringing  tone  of  command,  as  she  raised  the  pistol  and  kept 
her  bright  eye  fixed  on  the  outwitted  captain.  "  Vanish, 
before  I  am  tempted  to  give  you  a  dose  of  cold  lead,  which 
I  would  just  as  lief  do,  only  I  don't  want  to  rob  the 
gallows  of  its  due.     Be  off  I " 


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THE  DARK  SECRET. 


1 1 


Gnasliing  his  teeth  with  impotent  passion,  the  captain 
obeyed — not  knowing  how  soon  the  dangerous-looking 
little  desperado  might  be  tempted  to  fire  ;  and  a  mocking 
laugh  from  Jacquetta  came  wafted  after  him  on  the  even- 
ing breeze,  and  was  the  last  sound  he  heard,  as  he  vanished 
round  the  brow  of  the  hill. 

"  The  youth  has  fainted  again,"  said  Disbrowe,  anxious- 
ly, as  Jacquetta,  whistling  to  Lion,  stuck  the  pistol  in  a 
belt  she  wore,  and  vaulted  lightly  on  her  horse. 

"  So  much  the  better,"  said  Jacquetta.  "  You  can  ride 
rapidly  now  without  fear  of  hurting  him — poor  fellow! 
Come,  en  avant  !  " 

Both  spirited  horses  darted  off  simultaneously,  and  in 
less  than  fifteen  minutes  the  peaked  gables  and  quaint 
turrets  of  Fontelle  came  in  sight. 

"  Don't  alarm  the  house,  but  bring  him  up  here,"  said 
Jacquetta,  as  she  entered  the  hall,  followed  by  Disbrowe 
carrying  his  insensible  burden,  "  into  the  room  next  mine 
— in  here." 

She  led  the  way  down  the  long  hall,  up  a  flight  of 
stairs,  and  through  another  hall  leading  to  the  south 
wing  of  the  building;  and  throwing  open  a  door,  ushered 
Disbrowe  into  a  pleasant  little  room,  elegantly  furnished 
in  tasteful,  modern  style. 

Disbrowe  laid  J.acinto  on  a  low  French  bed,  hung  with 
white,  scarcely  whiter  now  than  his  death-like  face. 
Again,  as  he  looked  at  him,  that  same  unaccountable  con- 
viction that  he  had  seen  him  somewhere  before,  flashed 
across  his  mind. 

But  Jacquetta,  with  her  usual  energetic  promptitude, 
left  him  little  time  to  ruminate,  for  no  sooner  had  he  laid 
him  down,  than  she  said  ; 

«  There  I  go  now  and  hunt  up  Frank,  and  send  him  off 
to  Green  Creek  for  a  doctor.  Tell  him  to  be  quick,  for 
the  sooner  this  arm  is  set,  the  better.     Go  !  " 

In  spite  of  himself,  Disbrowe  could  not  repress  a  smile 
at  the  young  lady's  prompt,  off-hand,  decided  way  of  doing 
business,  but  without  waiting  even  to  reply,  he  darted 
off,  leaving  Jack  De  Vere  alone  with  her  patient. 

He  found  Frank  yawning  dreamily  over  a  novel  in  the 
parlor  ;  and  in  a  few  words  told  him  what  had  happened. 


JACINTO. 


95 


and  dispatched  him  for  a  physician.  Frank's  astonish- 
ment was  unbounded,  but  he  took  pains  to  repress  it,  and 
beyond  tlie  ejaculation  "  Wliew  !  "  jerked  out  of  him  by 
the  exigency  of  the  case,  lie  said  nothing,  but  clapping 
his  hat  on  his  head,  disappeared  histanter. 

Just  as  Disbrovve  was  about  to  return  to  the  room 
where  he  had  left  Jacinto  and  his  pretty,  spirited  little 
nurse,  Mr.  De  Vere  came  along  the  hall,  and  to  the  great 
chagrin  of  his  dutiful  nephew,  called  him  otf  to  see  some 
improvements  he  was  about  to  make  m  the  grounds.  lie 
made  desperate  efforts  to  listen  to  the  questions  asked 
him  by  his  uncle,  but  answered  so  much  at  random,  that 
Mr.  De  Vere  pushed  up  his  spectacles,  and  looked  at  him, 
to  see  if  he  had  taken  leave  of  his  senses.  In  a  few 
moments  the  clatter  of  horses'  hcx)fs,  coming  up  the  ave- 
nue in  front,  warned  him  that  Frank  was  returning,  and 
Disbrowe,  unable  to  remain  longer,  abruptly  turned  and 
walked  off,  to  the  utter  amazement  of  Mr.  De  Vere. 

Frank  was  not  alone  ;  a  little  paunchy  old  gentleman, 
with  a  l>ald  head  and  a  jolly  face,  accompanied  him, 
whom  Frank  introduced  as  Doctor  Simonds. 

"  Bad  case  this  broken  arm,"  said  the  little  doctor, 
rubbing  his  hands  joyfully,  "  rather  unpleasant  thing. 
Go  ahead,  my  son,  and  show  me  the  way.  Have  a  puich, 
sir  ?"  said  the  little  man,  taking  a  huge  pinch  of  snuff 
himself,  and  handing  the  box  to  Disbrowe. 

"  No,  thank  you,"  said  Disbrowe,  politely.     "  I'll  guide 


h 


you,  doctor." 


"  How  did  this  mishap  occur  ?'*  said  the  doctor. 
'•  Fmnk  couldn't  tell  me." 

"  An  accident,"  said  Disbrowe,  briefly,  as  he  knocked 
at  the  door. 

It  was  opened  by  Jacquetta,  looking  strangely  pale  and 
agitated. 

"  Oh,  walk  in,  Doctor  Simonds,"  she  said,  hurriedly  ; 
"  but  you  must  not  enter.  Captain  Disbrowe,  at  least, 
not  yet." 

"  I  may  want  some  one  to  help  me,"  said  the  doctor. 

"  Then  I  will  help  you,"  she  said,  still  keeping  her 
hand  on  Disbrowe's  arm,  as  if  to  keep  him  out.  **  My 
dear  cousin,  oblige  me  by  not  coming  in  just  at  present.'* 


•  '» 


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96 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


Disbrowe  bowed,  and  walked  off,  scarcely  knowing 
whether  to  be  irri tilted  or  not  at  this  cavalier  mode  of 
treatment.  He  flung  himself  into  a  chair  in  the  front 
hall,  and  determined  to  remain  there  and  waylay  the 
doctor  as  he  came  out,  and  learn  from  him  at  least  some- 
thing concerning  the  patient.  Gradually,  as  he  thought 
of  her  brusque,  independent  ways  and  tones,  and  cool,  de- 
termined manner,  a  smile  broke  over  his  handsome  face  ; 
and  he  could  not  help  owning  that  this  resolute,  careless 
independence,  and  the  easy  grace  with  which  she  invested 
it,  became  her  wonderfully  well,  as  nothing  else  could 
have  done. 

"  What  a  queen  she  would  make  ! "  he  thought,  as  he 
leaned  his  head  on  his  Iiand,  and  fell  into  thought. 
"  She  would  be  a  second  Elizabeth,  m  all  but  the  cruelty. 
What  a  girl  it  is,  to  be  sure !  I  wish  she  were  a  duchess  ; 
I  would  then  be  tempted  to  fall  in  love  with  her  1 
If  she  hadn't  red  hair — ah,  there's  the  rub !  as  Hamlet 
says.  I  detest  red  hair,  yet  it  is  not  absolutely  hideous 
in  her  ;  it  is  soft  and  glossy  as  floss  silk,  and  would 
be  beautiful  only  for  the  confounded  color.  I  wonder 
what  Earnecliffe  and  Lady  Margaret  would  think  of 
her.  By  Jove  I  how  she  would  horrify  her  ladyship." 
And  Disbrowe  laughed  at  the  thought. 

"  A  penny  for  your  thoughts,  monsieur,"  said  a  musical 
voice  at  his  elbow,  and  looking  up  he  saw  Jacquetta  her- 
self, with  her  piercing  eyes  fixed  on  his  face,  and  the 
strangest  smile  on  her  lips.     "  Are  they  worth  it  ?  " 

"  Yes,  ma  belle^  for  they  were  of — you  I  " 

"  Oh,  then  they  must  have  been  invaluable !  But  I  tell 
you  what,  cousin  Alf,"  said  the  young  lady  adjusting  her 
bracelet,  and  then  holding  out  her  arm  to  look  at  the  ef- 
Itjct,  "  it's  Till  a  waste  of  ammunition  thinking  of  me,  and 
I  wouldn't  advise  you  to  continue  it.  Why  don't  you 
ask  abou'o  our  handsome  patient  ?  " 

"  I  fancied  perhaps  his  exacting  nurse  would  not  allow 
it,"  said  Disbrowe,  in  a  tone  of  slight  pique. 

"  Oh,  I  don't  mind  your  inquiring  after  him,  as  long 
as  you  only  do  that,"  said  Jacquetta,  smiling  provokingly ; 
"  so  T  will  relieve  your  mind  at  once,  by  saying  his  arm 
is  safely  set  and  Doctor  Simonds  says  he  will  do  nicely." 


5> 


JACINTO. 


97 


«  Where  is  the  doctor  ?  " 

«  I  let  him  out  by  a  side-door,  for  I  knew  you  wanted 
to  lay  violent  hands  on  him,  and  would  drive  the  worthy 
little  soul  to  the  verge  of  distraction  with  all  your  ques- 
tions." 

"  How  very  thoughtful  of  you  1  Well,  can  I  see  your 
Datient?" 

"  Most  certixinly  not  I  I  wonder  at  your  asking  such 
a  question,  cousin  Alfred,"  said  Jacquetta,  arching  her 
eyebrows,  and  giving  her  bracelet  another  twist. 

"  But  I  want  to  thank  him  for  saving  my  life." 

"  Well,  so  you  can,  when  he  gets  better.  The  doctor 
commands  quiet  for  him."  ^ 

"  When  can  I  see  him  then  ?  " 

"  Well,  I'll  think  about  it,  and  it  may  be  soon,  and  then 
again,  it  mightn't,  as  old  Rowlie  of  the  Mermaid  says. 
You  must  have  patience,  my  dear  cousin." 

"  And  what  will  he  think  of  me,"  said  Disbrowe,  pacing 
up  and  down  vehemently,  "  after  saving  my  life,  if  I  do 
not  even  give  him  the  poor  reward  of  thanks.  I  tell  you 
I  must  see  him !  " 

"  Patience,  cousin  Alfred  I  it's  a  beautiful  virtue,  and  I 
would  recommend  it  to  you  while  you  are  young  and — 
innocent !"  said  Jacquetta,  after  a  pause,  drawing  down 
the  corners  of  her  rosy  mouth. 

Disbrowe  snatched  up  his  hat,  in  a  fit  of  angry  impa- 
tience, and  was  about  to  leave  he^  when  Jacquetta  laugh- 
ingly caught  him,  and  held  him  Dack. 

"  There  now  1  Don't  be  vexed.  Where's  the  use  of 
getting  cross,"  she  said,  in  a  soothing  tone,  as  if  speaking 
to  a  spoiled  child.  "  I  give  you  my  word  of  honor,  as  a 
lady  and  a  De  Vera,  that  you  will  see  him  as  soon  as  it  is 
prudent,  and  you  may  then  go  down  on  your  knees,  and 
thank  him  till  all's  blue.  Meantime,  I'll  faithfully  report 
to  him  the  terrific  pitch  of  gratitude  you've  worked  your- 
self up  to.  There's  my  hand  on  it  I  And  now  sit  down 
and  behave  yourself !  That  pleasant- spoken  gentleman 
who  tried  to  send  you  to  a  better  world  is  Captain  Nick 
Tempest — is  it  not  ?  '  Old  Nick,'  as  they    call  him  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  said  Disbrowe,  taking  a  seat  beside  her. 

"  Well,  who  do  you  think  he  reminded  me  of  ?" 


i'i 


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1 . 


«1  - 


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98 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


III! 


"  Can't  say — but  I  know  who  he  reminds  me  of.  He 
reminds  me  of — myself  ! " 

**  By  Jove  !  my  idea  to  a  fraction,"  said  Disbrowe,  de- 
lightedly, "  not  that  you  look  alike,  but  somehow—  " 

"  Yes,  but  we  do  look  alike,  though — I'm  certain  of  it 
— except  that  I'm  rather  better  looking,  I  flatter  myself. 
Haven't  we  got  hair  alike,  now  ?" 

"  Oh !  but  his  is  red,"  sjiid  Disbrowe,  hesitatingly,  "  and 
yours — " 

"  Is  red,  too,"  said  Jacquetta. 

«  Indecid  I  I  thought  it  was  auburn — ^beautiful  auburn," 
said  Disbrowe,  in  the  lazy  tone  in  which  he  was  accus. 
tonied  to  issue  little  works  of  fiction. 

"  Oh,  you  did — did  you  ?  "  said  Jacquetta ;  "  but  then 
you're  only  an  Englishman,  and  can't  be  expected  to  see 
till  it's  far  in  the  day,  and  then  you're  not  half  wide- 
awake. AV  hy,  I  wouldn't  have  my  hair  any  other  color, 
on  any  account.  It's  a  good,  high-minded,  spirited  color, 
^nd  shows  people  have  a  decided  will  of  their  own ;  and 
t.i.en  it's  nice  and  showy — none  of  your  dismal  blacks,  nor 
"Vidy,  sickly  yellow,  nor  neutral  browns.  No,  sir,  my 
hair's  red,  and  I'm  proud  of  it !  "  said  Jacquetta,  shaking 
her  flashing  curls  from  her  eyes. 

"  Well,  one  thing  is  certain,"  said  Disbrowe,  "  you  are 
the  first  De  Vere  that  ever  had  red  hair,  within  the 
memory  of  man." 

"  And  that's  another  reason  why  I'm  proud  of  it.  It's 
time  there  was  a  change  in  the  family — they  have  been 
going  on  in  the  old  way  long  enough,  goodness  knows  ! 
The  followers  of  the  Silver  Star  have  been  keeping  up 
their  obsolete  notions  long  enough,  and  need  a  little 
variety." 

"  And  a  more  bewitching  variety  they  could  not  have 
than  Miss  Jacquetta  De  Vere,"  said  Disbrowe,  softly. 

«  Humph!  "  said  Jacquetta,  with  a  peculiar  smile. 
"  Let's  change  the  subject.  Are  you  fond  of  singing,  cou- 
sin Alfred  ?  I  wish  you  would  sing  *  Hear  me,  Norma.'  It 
is  a  pretty  song." 

He  half  sprung  from  his  seat,  and  fixed  his  eyes  on  her, 
as  if  he  would  read  her  very  heart.  She  met  his  gaze  un- 
flinchingly, and  again  her  laughing  gray  eyes  reminded 


JACINTO. 


99 


him  of  the  picture,  there  was  such  an  immeasurable  depth 
of  mockery  shiuing  through,  and  baffling  hnn. 

"  I  heard  you  whistling  it  yesterday,"  she  said,  care- 
lessly, "  and  as  it  is  a  favorite  of  mine,  I  thought  perhaps 
you  might  favor  mc  now." 

"  No,  I  never  sing,"  he  said,  half-curtly,  as  he  arose 
again,  and  began  walking  up  and  down. 

"  Well,  I  must  leave  you,  then,  and  return  to  my 
patient,"  she  said,  rising.  "  I  will  see  you  at  the  tea-table, 
and  report  progress."  And,  with  a  smiling  wave  of  her 
hand,  she  was  gone. 

Disbrowe  paced  up  and  down  the  long  hall,  in  deep 
thought,  until  the  bell  rung  for  the  evening  meal.  There 
was  a  half-puzzled,  half-angry  look  on  his  face  ;  yet  now 
and  then,  as  if  in  spite  of  him,  his  features  would  relax 
into  a  smile,  and  his  last  words  wore,  as  he  turned  to  join 
the  family  :  "  It's  of  no  use  ;  I  cannot  read  the  riddle." 

"  I  have  a  message  for  j'^ou,  cousin,"  said  Jacquetta,  in 
a  low  voice,  approaching  him  when  the  supper  was  over. 

"  Well — I  am  all  attention,"  said  Disbrowe. 

"  It  is  from  him — you  know.  He  says  not  to  distress 
yourself  over-much  with  gratitude,  as  he  merely  actei  as 
he  would  have  done  for  any  one ;  and  as  for  your  thanks, 
they  will  keep,  and,  like  gooseberry  wine,  be  all  the  better 
for  keeping.     So  make  yourself  easy,  cousin  mine." 

"  I  intend  to,"  said  Disbrowe,  throwing  himself  into  a 
chair.  "  Capital  advice,  that,  and  I  intend  to  follow  it. 
Do  you  know,  when  I  marry  I  expect  to  repose  on  a  couch 
of  rose  leaves  all  day  long,  and  make  my  wife  fan  me  and 
sing — " 

"  *  Hear  me,  Norma !  ' "  broke  in  Jacquetta,  with  a 
wicked  laugh  ;  and  Disbrowe  colored,  and  instantly  grew 
silent. 

That  evening  he  heard  Jacquetta  sing  for  the  first  time, 
and  a  superb  voice  she  had.  Augusta,  too,  swept  over  the 
keys  of  the  piano  with  a  master  hand,  at  her  father's  de- 
sire ;  but  an  automaton  would  have  done  it  with  as 
much  life.  If  she  had  been  made  of  marble  she  could  not 
have  sat  more  white,  and  cold,  and  still  than  she  sat  be- 
fore them  there. 

Later  that    evening,  Jacquetta  sung  an  old  English 


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THE  DARK  SECRET. 


ballad,  at  the  earnest  solicitation  of  Disbrowe — an  old  song, 
with  a  sweet,  plaintive  air — and,  lying  lazily  back,  he 
watched  her  with  half-closed  eyes,  and  listened  to  the 
words : 

'*  And  when  the  Christinas  tale  goes  round, 
By  many  a  peat  fireside, 
Tlie  children  list  and  shrink  to  hear 
How  Childe  of  Phymstoke  died." 


»» 


And  then  the  song  goes  on  to  say  how  the  "  Old  Tor 
went  a  hunting,  and  how  he  lost  his  way  on  the  moor, 
and  of  his  despair : 

•'  For  far  and  wide  the  highland  lay 
One  pathless  waste  of  snow. 
He  paused — the  angry  heavens  above, 
The  faithless  bog  below. 

"  He  paused,  and  soon  through  all  his  veins 
Life's  current  feebly  ran  ; 
And  heavily  a  mortal  sleep  " 

Came  o'er  the  dying  man. 

*•  Yet  one  dear  wish,  one  tender  thought 
Came  o'er  that  hunter  brave — " 

Jacquetta  paused,  and  rose   with   a  laugh.  i' 

«  Well,  that's  very  pretty  !  Why  don't  you  go  on,  and 
let  us  know  what  that  *  tender  thought '  was  ?  "  said 
Disbrowe. 

"  I  was  just  thinking  of  your  getting  lost."  she  replied, 
"  and  was  afraid  you  might  think  the  song  personal ;  be- 
sides, you  have  heard  enough  of  old  songs,  without  me 
singing  them  to  you." 

"  There  are  no  songs  like  them,"  said  Disbrowe.  "  I 
would  rather  hear  one  old  ballad  than  all  the  Italian  songs 
that  ever  a  prima  donna  trilled  and  quavered." 

*'  You  think  too  much  of  old  things,"  said  Jacquetta, 
half-pettishly.  "  Old  names,  and  families,  and  old  houses, 
and  old  songs,  all  alike.  For  my  part,  I  believe  in  modern 
improvements  and  new  sensations  altogether." 

"  And  yet  I  am  certain  you  would  rather  bear  the  old 
name  of  De  Vere  than  any  other  under  the  sun,"  said  Dis- 
browe. 

With  a  gesture  that  was  almost  fierce  in  its  passionate 


JACINTO. 


lOI 


Impatience,  Jacquettii  arose  and  moved  to  the  other  side  of 
the  room. 

"  You  are  a  De  Vere,  my  dear  boy,  if  there  ever  was 
one,"  said  his  uncle,  witli  a  smile,  "  and  will  marry  a 
countess,  I'll  be  bound  !  " 

"  I  don't  believe  there  is  a  countess  living  I  would  marry," 
said  Disbrowe,  carelessly. 

"  And  why  not,  pray  V  A  duchess,  then,"  laughed  Mr. 
De  Vere. 

"  Nor  a  duchess — unless  I  was  in  love  with  her,  and 
she  would  have  me." 

«  Two  very  important  considerations,"  said  his  uncle. 
"  Then  you  mean  to  marry  for  love  V  " 

"  I  liope  so — if  I  ever  do  come  to  that." 

"It's  an  old-fashioned  notion!  Is  that  the  reason?'* 
said  Jacquetta,  with  a  curling  li^ . 

"  Partly.  If  ever  I  see  a  woman,  my  equal  in  every  way, 
and  we  happen  to  love  one  another  in  a  decent,  quiet  gentle- 
manly and  lady-like  sort  of  fashion,  it  is  probable  we  will 
get  married,  as  well  as  the  rest  of  the  world." 

"  What  a  fortunate  woman  she  will  be !  "  said  Jacquetta, 
sarcastically.  "  Have  you  ever  seen  her  yet.  Captain  Dis- 
browe ?  " 

"  Can't  say,  positively,"  he  said  carelessly.  «  I  may, 
and  then  again  I  mayn't,  to  quote  the  authority  you  men- 
tioned some  time  ago." 

"  Rather  an  unsatisfactory  answer,"  said  Mr.  De  Vere. 
"  Now,  suppose,  my  dear  Alfred,  you  fell  in  love  with  a 
givl — handsome,  accomplished  and  lady-like — and  the 
daughter  of  a  peddler,  or  tailor,  and  that  she  loved  you — 
would  you  marry  her  ?" 

"  No,  sir  I"  said  Disbrowe — and  his  fine  face  looked  cold 
and  proud  in  the  clear  light — "  no,  sir  ;  I  never  would  I " 

"  Simply  because  she  was  not  your  equal  in  birth  ?  " 

"  Yes — for  that  reason  alone,  even  if  I  did  not  fear  the 
the  scoffs  and  jeers  of  the  world,  or  the  just  indignation 
of  Earnecliffe,  the  proudest  peer  in  England.  No,  sir," 
said  the  young  man,  resuming  his  customary  careless 
tone  ;  "  I  never  would  marry  any  one  below  me  in  birth, 
for  any  consideration." 


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THE  DARK  SECRET. 


"  Oh,  bother  your  loftnioss ! "  muttered  Frjink,  in. 
digimntly.     "  I  wisli  you  liad  heen  born  in  a  barn !  " 

Jiic(iuettii  arose,  suddenly,  and,  witli  a  fierce,  flashing 
fire  in  lier  eyes,  lifted  up  one  arm  as  if  to  speak,  but  a 
cold,  white  hand  was  laid  beseechingly  on  it,  and  the 
marl>le-like  face  of  l.ady  Augusta  interposed  : 

"  Not  now,  Jaccjuetta !  Oh,  Jacquetta,  dearest,  not 
now  ! " 

*  Jacquetta  stooped  and  kissed  her,  with  a  softening 
brow  ;  but  the  tire  was  in  her  eye,  and  a  hot,  crimson 
spot  on  either  check,  as,  with  the  tread  and  step  of  an  em- 
press, she  passed  from  the  roOiii. 

Disbrowe  sat  confounded.  What  had  he  said  ? — what 
had  he  done  ?  A  sudden  (^ravity  had  fallen  on  all. 
Augusta  sat  like  a  figure  of  ice,  Mr.  De  Vera  looked  seri- 
ous and  Frank  was  scowling  indignantly  at  him  from 
under  his  brows. 

"  My  dear  uncle,"  he  said,  after  a  pause,  "  I  hope  I  have 
not  offended  Miss  De  Vere.  I  most  certainly  had  not  the 
remotest  intentions  of  doing  so,  and  am  yet  ignorant  of 
my  fault ;  for  assuredly,  nothing  I  said  can,  in  the  most 
distant  way,  apply  to  her — my  equal  in  every  sense  of 
the  word." 

"  You  forgot  you  will  be  a  peer  of  the  realm  one  of 
these  days,  when  the  present  Lord  Earnecliffe  kicks  the 
bucket,"  sneered  Frank,  "  and  she  will  only  be  Jack  De 
Vere,  and  *  our  American  cousin,'  and  a  poor  relation." 

"  Silence,  sir !  "  said  Mr.  De  Vere,  sternly,  as  Disbrowe 's 
face  flushed  indignant  scarlet.  "  Do  not  mind  Frank, 
my  dear  boy — he  has  caught  Jacquetta's  fashion  of 
saying  whatever  he  pleases,  and  consequently  thinks  a 
little  too  loud  sometimes." 

"  A  fashion,  it  seems,  no  one  else  is  to  have,"  thought 
Disbrowe.  Then,  aloud  :  "  And  is  it  really  possible  my 
cousin  is  so  red-hot  a  republican  as  to  be  offended  at  my 
thoughtless  words  ?  I  imagined  she  would  have  sym- 
pathized with  me," 

"  Jacquetta  does  not  believe  in  true  merit  being  over- 
looked, because  it  happened  to  be  born  in  a  hovel ;  and  she 
has  a  quick  temper,  and  takes  no  pains  to  conceal  her 
feelings  on  any  subject," said  Mr.  De  Vere.    "But,  as 


JACINTO. 


103 


for  her  inoinen  irriUition,  sho  will   liiiickly  get  over 

that,  and  meet  you  to-moriovv  uh  blithely  as  ever. 
One  tiling,  thouj^h,  I  wisli  you  would  remember,"  added 
the  HiM3aker,  witli  a  slit^iit  smile  :  "  Avoid  this  mibjeet  in 
her  presence.  It  is  like  applying  a  match  to  u  powder- 
magazine.  Augusta,  my  love,  you  are  not  looking  well — 
perhaps  you  had  betU»r  retire." 

Augusta  arose  in  her  slow,  lifeless  way,  and,  with  a 
slight  l)end  of  the  head,  U;ft  the  room,  followed  by  Frank. 
And  the  Honorable  Alfred  Disbrowe,  dissatisfied  with 
himself  and  Jacquetta,  stwjn  after  did  the  same  thing,  and 
felt  inclined  to  wish  Miss  Jacquettii  was  like  her  picture, 
aiid  that  the  same  old  smiling  look  would  never  change. 

"  It  is  such  a  vulgar  thing  to  see  a  young  girl  in  a 
passion  I  Vulgar — revolting — hideous  I"  he  said,  testily, 
"  and  for  nothing,  too  !  I  believe,  in  my  soul,  the  girl  is 
not  a  ])e  Vere  at  fill.  Got  changed  in  the  cradle,  or  some- 
thing ;  only  I'm  perfectly  sure,  as  it  happens,  that  neither 
Uncle  Robert,  nor  my  lady  cousin  Augusta,  are  the  sort 
of  folks  who  believe  in  adopting  other  people's  children. 
To  be  sure,  there  is  that  flippant  Fnuik  ;  but  then  he  is 
one  of  the  family,  and  has  the  De  Vere  face,  slightly 
modified  with  that  of  Stubbs — bless  the  mark  I — but  Miss 
Jacquetta — rightly  named  Jack — has  not  a  single  iota  of 
resemblance  to  any  De  Vere  I  ever  siiw.  She  is  an  orig- 
inal— a  little  flash  of  lightning  in  gaiters — a  snapdragon — 
a  little  flame  of  fire,  remarkably  apt  to  burn  the  fingers 
of  any  one  who  attempts  to  handle  her.  Well,  peace  to 
her  memory  !     I  must  go  to  sleep." 

But  Captain  Disbrowe  did  not  fall  asleep  as  soon  as  he 
thought,  but  lay  awake,  tossing  restlessly,  looking  at  the 
picture,  thinking  of  Jacquetta,  of  his  evening's  adventure, 
and  of  last  night's  mysterious  music.  Would  it  be  repeated 
to-night  ?  He  half-hoped  it  might,  for  never  did  mortal 
listen  to  such  delicious  strains  as  had  then  greeted  his  ear. 

He  slept  at  last,  and,  sleeping,  he  dreamed.  Again  he 
was  in  the  lonesome  gorge  between  the  hills,  and  again 
Captain  Nick  Tempest  and  Jacquetta  were  there.  Grad- 
ually the  air  became  filled  with  softest,  sweetest  melody 
— from  what  quarter  no  man  could  tell  ;  and,  as  it  rose 
and  fell  in  ravisliing  cadences,  he  saw,  and  saw  without 


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THE  DARK  SECRET. 


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ll.'S, 


surprise,  too  (he  remembered  that  when  he  awoke),  the 
fair  faco  and  graceful  form  of  Jacquetta  undergo  a  fright- 
ful transformation.  She  dropped  on  her  hands,  long, 
black  hair  waving  around  her,  and,  in  a  moment,  she 
stood  changed  into  the  dog  Lion  !  And,  at  the  same  in- 
stant. Captain  Nick  Tempest  was  transformed  into  the 
image  of  a  lovely  lady  ;  and  stretching  out  his  arms,  with 
a  great  cry  of  "  Norma  !  "  he  awoke — awoke  to  find  it  not 
all  a  dream !  The  night  was  far  advanced,  and  the  air  was 
filled,  as  in  his  dream,  with  divine  music.  Such  celestial 
harmony,  that  it  held  him  entranced,  spellbound,  charmed 
beyond  the  power  of  motion,  for  a  time.  Then,  as  it 
changed  and  broke  into  wild,  weird  quivering  strains, 
like  cries  of  pain  from  human  lips,  he  sprung  out  of  bed, 
dressed  rapidly,  and,  with  a  desperate  impulse  upon  him 
to  find  out  whence  it  came,  he  descended  the  stairs  and 
crossed  the  hall. 

The  massive  hall  door  was  locked,  but  the  key  was  in- 
side ;  and  turning  it,  he  stood  the  next  instant,  alone  in 
the  solemn  beauty  of  the  silent  night.  There  was  a  faint 
young  moon  that  shone  in  the  sky  Uke  a  broken  ring  of 
silver,  and  by  its  light,  and  by  that  of  the  high,  bright, 
solemn  stars,  he  rapidly  took  his  way  toward  the  deserted 
north  wing  of  the  building. 

A  dark,  gloomy,  dismal  pile  it  looked,  as  if  it  were,  in 
very  truth,  as  poor  Hood  has  since  sung : 

•' Under  some  prodigious  ban 
Of  excommunication." 

The  old  English  ivy  grew  thick  and  rank  around  the 
narrow  windows,  wrapping  it,  even  when  the  sun  shone, 
in  funeral  gloom.  All  was  dark  and  lonely  there,  but  the 
strains  of  music  were  close  at  hand,  and  there  no  longer 
remained  a  doubt  but  that  it  came  from  the  interior. 

Suddenly,  while  he  watched,  a  faint,  trembling  ray  of 
light  passed  one  of  the  windows.  A  sudden  suspicion 
shot  through  his  mind  of  burglars  and  housebreakers, 
and  a  sort  of  conviction  that  Captain  Tempest  or  old 
Grizzle  was  in  there,  flashed  upon  him.  In  a  twinkling, 
he  had  grasped  a  stout  ivy  stalk,  and  holding  on  to  the 
projecting  sill,  held  himself  up  and  looked  in. 


A  MYSTERY. 


105 


It  was  a  female  carrying  a  lamp ;  but  was  it  Grizzle 
Howlet  ?  Yes — if  she  had  a  small,  light,  fairy  figure  ;  a 
fleet,  noiseless  footstep,  a  small,  delicate  face,  and  waving, 
curling  hair ;  if  she  ever  wore  a  dainty,  white  wrapper, 
and  had  a  small,  snowy  hand,  sparkling  with  rich  rings. 
For  one  instant,  the  light  of  the  lamp  flashed  full  on  the 
face  of  her  who  bore  it,  and  ne^^er  fell  mortal  eye  on  a 
face  so  white,  so  rigid,  with  such  wild,  glistening  eyes, 
and  hurried,  terrified  look. 

She  passed  on — all  was  darkness  again ;  but  the  instant 
she  disappeared,  the  music  ceased.  He  held  on  until  his 
hands  were  tired ;  and  then  he  sprung  down  and  paced 
up  and  down  restlessly,  waiting  for  the  reappearance  of 
that  light,  till  the  stars  died,  one  by  one,  out  of  the  sky, 
and  the  chill  gray  dawn  came  blue  and  cold  over  the  dis- 
tant hills ;  and  still  it  appeared  not.  And  then  he  re- 
entered the  house,  returned  to  his  bedroom,  and  threw 
himself,  cold  and  chilled,  in  bed — not  to  sleep,  but  to 
wonder  what  this  midnight  visit  meant.  From  its  place 
above  him,  the  pictured  face  smiled  upon  him  still,  but 
with  a  meaning  in  its  mockery  he  had  never  felt  before, 
and  with — oh !  such  a  world  of  derision  in  its  laughing 
eyes  !  Sleeping  or  waking,  would  he  ever  forget  the  look 
that  white  face  wore  ? — that  look  of  mingled  horror,  loath- 
ing, and  repulsion,  that  made  it,  despite  its  young  beauty, 
ghastly  to  look  upon — that  look  on  the  face  of — Jacquetta 
De  Vere ! 


CHAPTER  X. 


A  MYSTERY. 


'  -  Since  then,  at  an  uncertain  !iour, 

This  agony  returns  ;  ■ 

And  till  my  ghastly  tale  is  told, 
This  heart  within  me  burns." 

Ye  Ancient  Mariner. 

All  the  next  day,  Jacquetta  did  not  make  her  appear- 
ance ;  she  was  in  the  room  with  their  wounded  guest,  and 
had  her  meals  brought  up.  Mr.  De  Vere  and  Augusta 
had  not  been  told  of  Disbrowe's  adventure  with  Captaia 
Tempest,  and  they  simply  knew  that  a  young  stranger 


a 


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THE  DARK  SECRET. 


had  broken  his  arm,  and  had  been  brought  to  Fontelle  by 
Jacquetta,  and  that  she  had  constituted  herself  his  nurse. 
Once,  Mr  De  Vere  had  paid  a  visit  to  the  sick-room,  and 
had  returned  to  tell  Disbrowe  he  found  him  sitting  up 
talking  to  Jacquetta,  and  to  marvel  at  his  singular  and 
extraordinary  beauty,  which  was  the  first  thing  to  strike 
a  beholder,  always,  on  seeing  Jacinto.  Disbrowe's  lip 
curled  as  his  uncle  spoke  of  the  tender  care  and  undeny- 
ing  attention  of  his  daughter  to  the  Spanish  boy. 

"  I  wonder,  if  this  young  stranger  were  humpbacked 
and  pock-marked,  if  Miss  Jacquetta  would  be  so  devoted  ? 
I  wonder  how  much  his  handsome  face  has  to  do  with  all 
this  tender  watching  and  affectionate  care  ? "  he  said,  in- 
wardly. "Take  care.  Miss  Jacquetta!  Young  ladies 
have  fallen  in  love  v/ith  young  strangers  before  now,  and 
with  less  handsome  ones  than  this  dark-eyed  lad,  too,  I'll 
swear !  I  wonder  if  the  girl  ever  was  in  love  ? "  he 
thought,  as  he  took  up  a  book  to  while  away  the  tedious 
hours. 

It  was  the  longest  day  that  he  ever  remembered  in  his 
life.  He  tried  to  read,  and  pitched  the  book  from  him  in 
disgust ;  he  played  chess  with  his  uncle,  yawned  in  his 
face,  and  lost  every  game.  Augusta  played  for  him,  but 
when  she  was  done  he  could  not,  to  save  his  life,  have 
told  whether  it  was  "  Old  Hundred  "  or  an  overture  from 
"II  Trovatore ; "  and  the  only  thing  he  could  find  to 
divert  his  attention  for  a  moment  was  a  portfolio  of  draw- 
ings, by  Jacquetta.  They  were  like  herself — bold,  free, 
and  spirited,  and  sketched  with  a  dashing  hand.  Wild 
scenes  they  were,  too ;  dismal  mountain-gorges  yawning 
darkly  between  frowning  hills,  with  a  lowering  sky  above, 
and  fuzzy  grass  below ;  glimpses  of  a  troubled,  glassy, 
heaving  sea,  the  black  sky  frowning  on  the  blacker  waters, 
and  on  a  single  lone  rock  that  reared  its  v/hite^  ghastly 
head  far  out,  a  wild,  ravenous-looking  vulture  perched, 
with  fierce,  flaming  eyes,  and  blood-tinted  beak.  There 
was  a  ship  going  down,  and  the  blanched  faces  of  drown- 
ing men  flashed  above  the  inky  ocean,  their  wild  eyes 
glaring  in  the  death-agony,  their  faces  frightfully  con- 
vulsed, until  Disbrowe  turned  away  and  replaced  them 
with  a  shudder,  half-expectin"'  to  hear  their  repressed 


A  MYSTERY. 


107 


Mi 


dirieks  burst  from  their  quivering  lips.  Storms  of  light- 
ning and  thunder  on  the  mountains,  and  purple,  livid 
moon;  gibbering  ghosts  in  long  winding-sheets,  rising 
from  yawning  graves — all  that  was  dismal,  and  weird, 
and  unearthly,  was  there,  and  all  bearuig  tokens  of  a 
skilful  hand. 

"  Ugh  !  "  said  Disbrowe,  replacing  them  hastily,  "  it's 
enough  to  give  me  the  nightmare  for  a  month  to  look  at 
those  ghastly,  weird  things.  Upon  my  honor,  I  believe 
that  girl  is  uncanny,  as  the  Scotch  say ;  no  reasonable 
Christian,  unless  suffering  agonies  of  remorse  or  dyspepsia, 
could  ever  fancy  such  goblin  sights.  How  well  she  does 
it,  too  !  What  doesn't  she  do  well,  though  ?  She  rides 
like  an  Amazon ;  she  plays  and  sings  like  an  Italian  prima 
donna  ;  she  draws  like  Salvator  Rosa ;  she  nurses  like — 
like  herself;  and  she  loves  and  hates — well,  I  can't  say 
about  that,  but  I  should  think  she  could  do  both  in  stun- 
ning fashion.  I  shall  begin  to  feel  half -afraid  of  the  witch, 
she  is  so  clever.  Ileigho !  this  is  an  awful  slow  piece  of 
business,  loitering  about  here.  I  have  a  good  mind  to 
break  my  arm,  and  see  if  she  would  nurse  me  like  this. 
Ten  to  one  she  would  never  come  near  me,  but  leave  me 
to  the  tender  mercies  01  that  frigid  iceberg.  Lady  Augus- 
ta ;  for  she's  as  full  of  streaks  as  a  tulip."  And  yawning 
drearily,  he  sauntered  off. 

Toward  evening,  he  rode  out  ^vith  Frank  for  a  couple 
of  hours,  admired  the  scenery,  took  a  random  shot  or  two 
at  a  bird,  and  returned  to  tea,  hoping  and  wishing  that  he 
might  see  Jacquetta.  But  Jacquetta  did  not  appear  ;  and, 
more  disappointed  than  he  would  have  been  willing  to 
acknowledge,  he  retired,  at  last.  He  feared  he  had  an- 
gered her,  and  he  wanted  a  reconciliation.  He  wondered 
how  she  would  meet  him  next ;  whether  with  her  piquant, 
saucy  smile,  or  with  fiery  eyes  and  burnmg  cheeks,  as  he 
had  seen  her  last.  But  he  could  rot  answer  the  question ; 
for  never  was  an  April  day  half  so  fickle  as  she. 

That  night  he  lay  awake  listening  ana  hoping  for  a  rep- 
etition of  the  mysterious  music;  but  he  listened  and 
hoped  in  vain.  The  silence  was  undisturbed  and  un- 
broken all  night  long. 

"  I  wonder  if  I  will  see  her  to-day  ?  "  was  his  first 


II  v\ 

m 


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I  "*i 


io8 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


thought  on  awakening ;  and  then  he  laughed  at  himself 
for  the  restless  anxiety  he  felt  for  her  return.  "  Certes, 
Alfred  Disbrowe !  Take  care  this  red-haired  damsel  does 
not  captivate  you,  after  all !  What  is  she  to  you  that  you 
should  care  whether  you  ever  see  her  again  or  not  ?  What 
can  she  ever  be  to  you  more  than  she  is  now  ?  Take  care, 
my  boy,  or  you  may  find  yourself  in  a  fix  before  you 
know  it." 

As  he  entered  the  breakfast  parlor,  he  looked  eagerly 
around,  but  no  Jacquetta  was  to  be  seen.  Mr.  De  Vera 
was  there,  reading  some  English  papers ;  and  Frank  sat 
pulling  the  ears  of  his  favorite  terrier  through  his  fingers. 
Augusta  entered,  pale,  and  cold,  and  stately,  as  ever,  a  few 
moments  after,  and  acknowledged  their  salutations  by  a 
slight  bend  of  her  haughty  head,  and  silently  took  her 
place  at  the  head  of  the  table. 

"  Is  Jacquetta  not  coming  down  ?  said  Mr.  De  Vere,  as 
he  took  his  seat ;  and,  strange  to  say,  Disbrowe's  heart 
gave  a  sudden  bound  at  the  mention  of  her  name. 

"  No,"  said  Frank,  sipping  his  coffee ;  "  I  don't  think 
she  will  be  down  at  all,  to-day.  She  and  that  good-look- 
ing chap  with  the  broken  arm  are  keeping  each  other  com- 
pany. She  let  me  in  the  room  yesterday,  and  I  was  sur- 
prised to  see  how  happy  they  were  together." 

A  sickening  feeling  of  disappointment  came  over  Dis- 
browe.  Had  he  seen  Jacquetta  every  day  and  every  time 
he  chose,  it  is  probably  he  would  had  felt  perfectly 
indifferent  about  it — careless,  when  she  came,  and  whither 
she  went ;  but  now  she  had  spirited  herself  away,  totally 
neglected  him,  and  devoted  herself  assiduously  to  this  pro- 
vokingly  handsome  stranger,  Captain  Disbrcwe's  vanity 
was  wounded ;  he  felt  irritated  to  hear  she  could  laugh  and 
enjoy  herself  while  he  was  v/andering  about  so  lonely  and 
ennmed  ;  and  more  irritated  still  that  she  admitted  Frank, 
and  kept  him  out ;  and  so,  a  little  angry,  and  a  good  deal 
jealous,  he  arose  in  a  decidedly  ferocious  mood,  and  half 
resolved  to  leave  his  ungrateful  little  cousin  to  her  own 
devices  and  Spanish  lovers,  and  post  back  fall  speed  to 
England  again,  where  young  ladies  knew  how  to  treat 
their  guests  in  a  Christian  fashion.  There  is  many  a  Dis- 
browe  in  the  world,  quite  as  inconsistent  as  he. 


A  MYSTERY. 


109 


"» 

fs 


He  thought  better  of  going  to  England,  however,  and 
ordered  his  horse,  instead,  for  a  gallop  across  the  country, 
to  exorcise  the  demons  of  ennui  and  chagrin.  This 
time  he  did  not  fail  to  take  his  pistols,  and  keep  his  eye 
about  him,  and  felt,  in  his  present  fierce  moocl,  as  if  it 
would  be  rather  a  relief  than  otherwise  to  have  a  fracas 
with  "  Old  Nick,"  to  put  his  stagnating  blood  in  circula- 
tion, if  for  nothing  else ;  and  indeed,  in  his  state  of  mind 
at  that  moment,  he  would  have  found  it  rather  pleasant 
than  otherwise  to  shoot  somebody. 

So  he  rode  on,  at  an  exceedingly  leisurely  pace,  looking 
around  him  now  and  then,  and  trying  to  make  up  his 
mind  to  hate,  detest  and  abhor  this  uncivilized  cousin  of 
his,  and  contrasting  her  in  his  own  mind  with  the  dig- 
nified, languid,  high-bred  Lady  Gertrudes  and  Lady  Mar- 
garets of  his  acquaintance,  and  drawing  conclusions  any 
thing  but  flattering  to  her  by  the  contrast,  when  the 
thundering  sound  01  horses'  hoofs  dashing  down  the  rocks 
behind  him  made  him  turn  round,  and,  he  beheld  the  ob- 
ject of  his  thoughts,  mounted  on  hei*  spirited  little  black 
Arabian,  sweeping  on  toward  him.  How  bright,  how 
charming,  how  almost  beautiful  she  looked  at  that  mo- 
ment, all  afire  with  life,  and  health,  and  bounding  spirits  I 
It  flashed  across  him  in  an  instant,  and  every  pulse  gave 
an  electric  throb  and  leap  at  the  sight,  as  though  she  had 
imparted  some  of  her  own  exultant,  joyous  life  to  his 
languid  self. 

"  A  race  I  a  race !  a  steeple-chase  I  Come  on,  cousin  Al- 
fred ! "  she  shouted ;  and  as  she  swept  thundering  past 
she  raised  her  whip  and  gave  his  mettled  horse  a  cut  that 
sent  him  off  like  an  arrow  from  a  bow. 

With  the  ringing  "  Tally-ho  !  "  of  a  foxliunter,  she  urged 
both  horses  on,  and  away  they  sped  at  a  dizzy  pace. 
Disbrowe's  blood  rose,  his  eye  kindled  with  excitement, 
and  pressing  his  hat  down  over  his  brows,  he  gatliered  up 
the  loose  reins  and  forgot  everything  but  the  maddening 
excitement  of  the  race.  On  and  on  they  flew,  passing 
rocks,  and  valleys,  and  marshes,  and  moors,  and  level  roads, 
keeping  neck  for  neck,  and  each  urging  their  horse  to  the 
utmost  in  their  effort  to  conquer.  Away  and  away,  as  if 
winged,  over  mountain  gorges,  and  chasms,  and  clefts,  and 


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THE  DARK  SECRET. 


fences,  and  ditches,  taking  everything  before  them !  A 
look  of  determined  resolution  settled  on  the  faces  of  both, 
as  they  sped  on,  that  showed  they  would  never  give  up 
while  their  horses  could  stand,  and  with  whip  and  spur, 
and  voice,  they  dashed  madly  on,  heedless  of  everything 
in  their  furious  career. 

Suddenly  Disbrowe  checked  his  horse  so  quickly  and 
sharply  that  he  almost  fell  back  on  his  haunches,  confident 
that  the  mad  "  steeple-chase  "  was  then  and  there  brought 
to  an  end. 

An  immense  gorge,  an  awful  precipice  yawned  before 
them,  full  fifty  feet  deep,  and  lined  \vith  sharp,  projecting 
rocks,  at  tbe  bottom  of  which  roared  a  mad,  foaming  tor- 
rent, swollen  and  resistless  by  the  late  spring  rains.  It 
Avas  a  leap — with  all  his  boldness — he  would  not  take,  for 
a  single  false  step  would  have  hurled  him  to  certain  death. 
He  had  managed  to  get  a  few  yards  in  advance  of  Jacquet- 
ta,  and  now  he  looked  round  to  shout  his  victory,  when  to 
his  horror  and  astonishment,  he  saw  her  rein  back  her 
horse  for  the  fearful  leap,  and  the  next  moment,  with  a 
high,  defiant  cry,  she  had  vaulted  over  the  terrible  gorge  I 

"  Beat !  "  she  shouted,  as  she  took  off  her  plumed  riding- 
liat  and  waved  it  exultingly  above  her  head,  "  beat !  hur- 
rah ! " 

Disbrowe  had  sat  frozen  with  horror  to  his  seat,  at  the 
mad  leap  and  saw  with  a  shudder  her  horse's  hind  feet 
graze  the  very  edge  of  the  frightful  chasm  !  But  at  her 
victorious  shout,  the  danger  was  forgotten,  and  the  blood 
rushed  in  a  torrent  to  his  very  temples. 

"  Ha !  ha !  A  De  Vere  against  a  Disbrowe,  any  day," 
laughed  Jacquetta,  on  the  other  side,  as  she  reined  up  her 
panting  steed.  "It's  the  old  story  of  America  against 
England  again,  and  America  is  victorious  !  Hurrah  for  the 
stars  and  strijjes  !  I  say,  cousin  Alfred,  how  do  you  find 
yourself  ?  "  And  she  leaned  back  and  laughed  immoder- 
ately at  his  mortified  face. 

"  Conquered,"  said  Disbrowe,  taking  off  his  hat  and 
bowing  with  courtly  grace,  "  but  I  only  imitate  the  ex- 
ample of  all  the  rest  of  mankind,  in  being  conquered  by 
you." 

"  That's  very  pretty,  indeed,"  said  Jacquetta ;  "  but  still 


A  MYSTERY. 


Ill 


it  doesn't  cover  tlie  diKSgiace  of  being  lieaten — and  by  a 
girl,  too.  Oh,  cousin  Alfred  I  I  thought  l)etter  things 
of  you  than  this.  It  is  well  for  you  your  lady-love  is  not 
here,  to  witness  your  defeat." 

"  I  wish  I  could  induce  you  to  bear  that  title,  my  daunt- 
less little  cousin,"  sjiid  Disbrowe,  gallantly. 

"  No,  thank  you.  I  had  rather  be  excused.  I  shouldn't 
admire  being  the  lady-love  of  any  one  I  could  beat  so 
easily,"  said  Jajquetta. 

"  As  you  are  strong,  be  merciful,"  said  Disbrowe,  riding 
slowly  up  to  where  the  chasm  narrowed,  and  leaping 
across ;  "  but  you  don't  call  that  an  easy  victory,  do  you  ? 
One  inch  further,  and  where  would  you  be  now  ?  " 

"  In  heaven,  very  likely,"  said  Jacquetta,  measuring  the 
distance  with  her  eye.  "  To  tell  the  truth,  it's  a  leap  I 
wouldn't  attempt  in  my  cooler  moments;  but  I  forgot 
everything  in  the  excitement  of  the  race,  and  would  have 
taken  it  even  liad  I  been  sure  of  being  dashed  to  the  bottom. 
Who  wouldn't  prefer  death  to  defeat  ?  "  she  said,  with  a 
flashing  eye. 

"  Well,  I,  for  one,"  said  Disbrowe,  in  his  customary 
careless  tone.  "  I  have  an  uiilimited  amount  of  faith  in 
the  old  maxim —  -  V    - 

'  He  that  fights  and  runs  away, 
May  live  to  figlit  anotlier  day.'  " 

"  Your  countrymen  seem  to  believe  unanimously  in 
that,"  said  Jacquetta,  with  one  of  her  sly,  provoking 
glances  ;  "  they  ought  to  have  it  inscribed  under  the  lion 
and  unicorn,  and  on  all  their  banners ;  for  it  was  their 
motto  constantly,  until  they  got  their  walkmg- papers  from 
these  American  shores." 

"  There  was  some  pretty  hard  fighting  first,"  said  Dis- 
browe, nettled.  "Your  American  friends  didn't  have 
things  all  their  own  way,  and  had  a  pretty  long  reckon- 
mg  to  pay,  in  the  end.  A  set  of  ragamuffins,  fresh  from 
the  plow — one-half  of  them — who  hardly  knew  even  what 
they  were  fighting  for." 

"  Didn't  they  ?  "  said  Jacquetta.  "  That's  all  you  know 
about  it.  They  fought  for  God  and  their  country  :  yawr 
friends  for — a  shilling  a  day !  " 


!' 


•■    ! 


\%: 


112 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


tit  I 


An  angry  reply  roso  to  Disbrowe's  lips,  and  then  re- 
membering he  was  speaking  to  a  lady,  he  checked  himself, 
and  gave  his  horse  a  cut  with  his  whip,  that  sent  him  on 
some  yards  in  advance  before  he  could  stop  himself.  Jac- 
quetta  looked  after  him,  and  the  old  tantalizing,  malicious 
smile  he  had  learned  to  know  so  well,  now  curled  her 
pretty  lips. 

"  You'll  spoil  that  fine  gray,  if  you  use  him  like  that," 
she  said,  as  she  again  joined  him ;  "  what  did  the  poor 
thing  do  to  merit  that  ?  You  ought  to  have  laid  it  over 
my  shoulders,  instead." 

"  I  beg  your  pardon,  Miss  Jacquetta  ;  but  really,  I  for- 
get myself  sometimes  ;  and  you  are — if  you'll  excuse  my 
saying  it — given  to  saying  things  not  calculated  to  soothe 
sensitive  minds,  and — " 

"  You're  proud,  and  got  a  shocking  bad  temper,  and  are 
not  used  to  be  talked  to  in  such  a  fashion,"  interrupted 
Jacquetta.  "Well,  cousin  Alf,  I've  seen  people  when 
they  had  a  pain  in  one  place,  applying  a  blister  to  another, 
as  a  counter-irritant ;  and  so,  if  you  will  look  upon  me 
as  a  human  blister,  sent  on  earth  for  your  especial  use  and 
benefit,  you  will  be  apt  sooner  to  obtain  the  virtue  of  res- 
ignation, which,  together  with  patience  and  modesty,  are 
beautiful  things  in  young  men.  And  now,  to  change  the 
subject,  Avhy  don't  you  ask  after  our  young  hero  of  the 
wounded  arm  ?  " 

"Because  I  had  given  up  all  hopes  of  ever  hearing  or 
seeing  anything  of  him  again:  and  knowing  he  was  in 
good  hands,  I  thought  inquiry  unnecessary  and  imperti- 
nent," said  Disdrowe. 

"  Ah,  well,  then  I  shan't  tell  you  anything  about  him. 
How  did  you  pass  the  time  yesterday  ?  " 

"  Miss  Augusta  played  for  me ;  I  had  a  game  of  chess, 
and  rode  out  in  the  afternoon,  and  passed  it  altogether 
pleasantly  enough.  You  enjoyed  yourself  very  much,  too, 
with  your  handsome  patient,  Frank  says.  What  a  for- 
tunate fellow  he  is,  to  be  sure." 

The  meaning  tone  in  which  the  last  words  were  uttered, 
made  Jacquetta  look  up,  and  her  face  flushed  scarlet  as 
she  met  his  knowing  eyes.  For  one  instant  her  eyes 
flashed  fire,  and  there  was  a  passionate  motion  of  her  arm  ; 


A  MYSTERY. 


1^3 


but  the  next,  as  if  another  thought  had  struck  her,  she 
checked  herself,  and  laughed  aloud. 

"  What  a  far-seeing,  clear-sighted  thing  man  is  !  "  she 
said,  scornfully.  "  Oh,  wise  young  judge  I  And  so  you 
would  imply  that  Jack  De  Vere  has  found  a  patient  and 
lost  her  heart  both  together.  Ma  foi !  what  a  thing  it  is 
to  see  through  a  mill-stone  1 " 

It  was  Disbrowe's  turn  to  feel  embarrassed  for  a  mo- 
ment; but  that  young  gentleman's  sanr/frotd  and  admir- 
able nonchalance  seldom  deserted  him  for  many  seconds 
at  a  time,  so  the  next  he  leplied,  in  his  customary  tone  of 
easy  confidence : 

"  Not  exactly,  Miss  Jacquetta ;  for  the  very  serious  reason 
that  I  very  much  doubt  whether  you  have  a  heart  at  all.'* 

"  Because  I  am  insensible  to  the  manifold  attractions 
and  fascinations  of  the  Honoral)le  Alfred  Disbrowe,  and 
have  not  fallen  down  at  his  feet  and  worshiped,  as  so 
many  of  my  sensible  and  lovable  sex  have  already  done  ? 
Is  that  the  reason  ?  "  she  said,  with  a  short  laugh. 

"  Not  av  all,"  said  Disbrowe ;  but  it  was  so  near  the 
truth  that  he  liad  to  laugh,  too.  "  You  do  not  suppose  I 
have  such  an  inordinate  share  of  vanity  as  to  imagine  I 
could  ever  touch  your  heart  ?  " 

"  Well,  there's  no  saying.  I  think  it  very  likely  you 
could  stretch  your  faith  even  to  a  pinnacle  so  absurdly 
high  as  that.  Men  are  such  a  set,  composed  of  vanity  and 
whiskers,  every  mother's  son  of  'em  1 "  said  Jacquetta. 

"A  sweeping  assertion,  that.  And  am  I  set  down  in 
that  catalogue  ?  "  said  Disbrowe. 

"  You  ?  Oh,  well,  I  don't  know.  I  liaven't  taken  the 
trouble  to  think  about  it  yet,"  said  Jacquetta,  in  a  tone  of 
provoking  indifference.  "  It  is  probable  that  if  ever  I  do, 
such  will  be  my  decision.  But  look  there  " — and  she 
pointed  with  her  whip —  "  there  is  the  very  Queen  of  the 
Kelpies,  taking  an  airing !  " 

Disbrowe  looked,  and  saw,  to  his  surprise,  the  little  girl 
Orrie,  of  the  lone  house,  bounding,  flying,  leaping,  with 
the  agility  of  a  mountain  kid,  over  the  rocks — her  long, 
elfish  locks  unbound,  and  streaming  around  her  little  elf- 
ish face  with  its  supernaturally  large,  bright,  glittering 
black  eyes. 


'1 


•   t 


i*t^l| 


i; 

SKI 


w  PI 

;   I  ■ 


M^  |v| 


ff 


rj 


114 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


**  Hallo  I  little  Oriole,  by  all  that's  stai'tling.  Where 
did  that  little  Witch  of  Endor  start  from  ?  I  say,  Orrie, 
Orrie  1    Come  here." 

The  little  ^irl  heard  his  shout,  and  turn' ng  round,  shaded 
her  eyes  with  her  hand  from  the  sun,  and  peered  at  him ; 
then  with  a  glad  cry  of  recognition,  she  darted  over  the 
rocks,  and  in  an  instant  had  seized  the  stirrup,  swung  her- 
self uj)  l)efore  him  on  his  horse,  flung  her  arms  around  his 
neck,  and  gave  the  astonished  and  laughing  young  Eng- 
lishman a  crushing  hug. 

"  Upon  my  word,"  said  Jacquetta,  "  an  enthusiastic  wel- 
come." 

Orrie  turned  round  and  peered  at  Jacquetta,  and  laughed, 
and  nodded,  and  clung  closer  to  Disbrowe. 

"  And  so  you  are  glad  to  see  me,  Orrie  'i "  said  Disbrowe, 
still  laughing.  "  Where  in  the  world  did  you  drop  from 
on  these  bare  rocks  ?    Not  from  the  sky  ?  " 

"  Lor',  no  1 "  said  Orrie,  in  contempt  at  the  idea.  "  Old 
Grizzle  whipped  me,  and  I  ran  off — I  always  do  when  she 
whips  me,  the  ugly  old  thing,  I  shan't  go  back,  either,  till 
it's  dark." 

"  Well,  won't  she  whip  you  again,  then  ?  "  said  Disbrowe. 

"  No — Uncle  Till  won't  let  her.  He'll  be  there,  and  he 
likes  me.  I  wish  you  would  give  me  a  ride  on  your  horse. 
Will  you?" 

"  Certainly,"  said  Disbrowe,  moving  on.  "  Why,  Orrie, 
I  thought  you  had  forgotten  all  about  me  ere  this." 

"  I  guess  I  hain't,"  said  Orrie,  soberly,  turning  round  to 
give  him  another  kiss,  and  then  clapping  her  hands  to 
make  the  horse  go  faster.  "  I've  been  thinking  about  you 
ever  since.     Oh  I  what  a  nice  horse  to  go  this  is  I " 

"  And  you  have  no  kindly  greeting  for  me,  Orrie  ?  "  said 
Jacquetta.     "  Is  he  to  receive  all  your  attention  ?  " 

"  Oh,"  said  Orrie,  "  everybody  says  you  don't  care  for 
anybody,  and  don't  want  kisses  or  notliin'." 

"  And  so,  because  I  don't  care  for  anybody,  no  one  is  to 
love  me  ?  "  said  Jacquetta,  in  something  so  like  a  sorrow- 
ful tone  that  Disbrowe  looked  at  her,  surprised  at  her 
heeding  the  little  elf's  words. 

He  spoke  to  her,  but  she  replied  briefly  ;  and  for  nearly 


A  MYSTERY. 


"S 


half  an  hour  she  rode  heside  them  in  silence,  and  with  a 
sort  of  dark  gloom  shadowing  her  face. 

Little  Orrie  prattled  continually,  giving  Disbrowe  oc- 
casional embraces  to  fill  up  the  pauses,  until  Jacquetta  al- 
most coldly  suggested  their  return. 

"There  now,  Orrie,  will  you  l>e  able  to  find  your  way 
back,  do  you  think  ?  "  siiid  I)isbrowe,  as  she  sprung  down 
in  a  llying  leap. 

"  Be  sure  I  ^vill,"  said  Orrie.  "  Good-by.  I'll  come  to 
gee  you  some  day." 

"  Tliank  you,"  said  the  young  gentleman,  laughing. 

And  the  next  instant  she  was  bounding  and  hopping 
like  a  blackljird  irom  rock  to  rock. 

The  same  look  of  dark  gloom  still  lay  on  the  bright  face 
of  Jacquetta,  as  they  turned  toward  Fontelle  ;  and  until 
half  the  way  was  over,  she  never  spoke,  save  to  briefly 
answer  his  (questions.     At  last  he  said  : 

"  You  seem  strangely  out  of  spirits,  my  dear  cousin. 
May  I  ask  what  is  the  matter  ?  " 

"  T  am  thinking  of  that  child  and  her  words,"  said  Jac- 
quetta. "  Somehow,  the  sight  of  that  little  girl  always 
affects  me  strangely ;  something  in  those  eerie  black  eyes 
of  hers  almost  frightens  me.  A  strange  feeling,  is  it  not  ? 
I  wish  you  could  tell  me  what  it  means." 

"  I  wish  T  could,"  said  Disbrowe.  "  Perhaps  she  is  your 
spiritual  affinity,  whatever  that  is.  Frank  says  she  looks 
like  you." 

"  Who  don't  I  look  like '? "  said  Jacquett%  looking  up 
and  breaking  into  a  laugh.  "  I  am  the  image  of  Captain 
Nick  Tempest  and  little  Orrie  Howlet,  and,  consequently, 
a  cross  between  a  demon  and  a  goblin.  I  won't  think  of 
it,  though  ;  and  now,  that  being  gone,  I  am  myself  again. 
I'll  race  you  home.  Cousin  Alfred,  or  have  you  had  enough 
of  racing  for  one  while  ?  " 

"  No — I  must  have  my  revenge,  and  retrieve  my  wound- 
ed honor.     So  lead  off." 

With  a  laugh  and  a  cheer,  Jacquetta  started,  and  both 
galloped  on  over  "  brake,  bush,  and  scar,"  at  a  reckless, 
headlong  pace,  keeping  neck  and  neck  until  Fontelle  was 
Yeached. 

"Unrevenged  yet!"  exclaimed  Disbrowe  striking  aa 


*  i 


;:;: 


|i 


1^ 


i 


t 

!    ,r 

i  1.       :  fl'! 


Ii6 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


attitude,  as  Jacquetta,  declining  his  aid,  leaped  lightly  off 
her  horse,  and  ran  up  the  steps  and  entered  the  house. 

With  a  sauey  nod  of  her  curly  head  Jacquetta  disap- 
peared, and  passed  on  until  she  reached  Augusta's  room, 
and  there  she  paused  and  knocked  softly. 

There  was  no  response,  and  she  knocked  again,  moro 
loudly.  Still  there  was  no  reply,  and  Jacquetta  turned 
the  handle  and  entered. 

And  there  a  terrihle  sight  met  her  eyes. 

On  the  floor  lay  Augusta,  prone  on  her  face,  her  whole 
form  writhing  like  one  in  unendurable  agony,  her  long, 
wild,  black  hair  streaming,  unlx)und,  around  her,  her 
liands  clenched  till  her  delicate  veins  stood  out  like  whip- 
cord, every  motion  quivering  with  unbearable  torture. 
Startled  and  alarmed — albeit  both  to  her  were  unusual — 
Jacquettii  went  over,  and,  catching  her  arm,  exclaimed : 

"  Augusta  I " 

With  a  fearful  shriek  and  maddened  bound,  she  was  on 
her  feet,  confronting  her — her  beautiful  face  distorted  with 
anguish  and  remorse — her  whole  countenance  so  altered 
and  terrible  that  Jacquetta  in  v^oluntarily  recoiled  a  step  as 
she  beheld  her. 

"  Augusta  !  Augusta !  Good  heavens  !  What  is  the 
meaning  of  this  ?  "  cried  Jacquetta. 

But  Augusta,  with  a  wild,  moaning  cry,  sunk  down  on 
a  seat,  and,  with  a  convulsive  shudder,  hid  her  face  in 
her  hands. 

"  Augusta,  my  sister !  tell  me  what  has  wrought  this 
frightful  change  in  you — once  so  cold,  so  calm,  so  proud, 
so  queenly  I  " 

"  GiTiLT ! "  cried  Augusta,  dashing  away  Jacquetta's 
clinging  hands,  "  guilt  so  black,  so  foul,  so  horrible  that 
the  very  fiends  themselves  would  shudder  at  it ;  guilt  that 
it  would  curdle  your  blood,  freeze  your  heart,  blight  your 
soul  to  hear ;  guilt  the  very  name  of  which  if  name  it 
have — it  would  blister  and  blacken  my  lips  to  utter  1 
Go — leave  me  1  I  ask  nothing — I  want  nothing,  but  to  be 
alone — and  die  1 " 

And  with  a  cry  of  despair,  she  sunk  down  again,  shud- 
dering, and  collapsed. 

Jacquetta  stepped  back,  and  calmly  regarded  her. 


A  MYSTERY. 


117 


**  You  are  insane,  Augusta,  or  in  tlie  dt'liriuni  of  a  brain 
fever.     I  shall  send  for  a  doctor." 

"  Oh,  leave  nie  I  leave  me !  leave  me  I  "  moaned  Augusta, 
in  a  dying  voice. 

"Not  in  this  state.  T  should  be  as  mad  as  you  if  I  did. 
I  will  stay  with  you  until  you  come  to  your  senses,"  said 
Jacquetta,  sitting  down. 

Tlie  invincil)le  determination  in  her  voice  seemed  to 
pierce  through  every  other  feeling  in  tlie  reeling  brain  of 
Augusta.  She  lifted  up  her  face,  and,  v/ith  a  suddenness 
that  was  more  startling  than  her  former  paroxysms  of 
anguish  and  despair,  rose  calmly  and  haughtily  to  her 
feet. 

"Will  you  leave  me,  Jacquetta ?  I  wish  to  be  alone. 
Go!" 

"  Augusta,  let  me  stay  !  Indeed,  your  mind  is  wander- 
ing— let  me  stay  I  " 

Without  a  word,  and  with  a  look  of  one  petiifiod  to 
stone,  Augusta  swept  across  the  room,  and  laid  her  hand 
on  the  door. 

"  Nay,  then,  if  you  will  not  remain  with  me,  I  will  not 
send  you  from  your  room,"  said  Jacquetta,  in  a  troubled 
voice,  as  she,  too,  started  up.  "  Do  not  go,  Augusta.  I 
will  leave  you.  But,  oh,  my  dearest  sister,  is  there  noth- 
ing I  can  do  for  you  ?  "  she  said,  beseechingly,  clasping 
her  hands. 

"  Nothing — but  leave  me  ! " 

With  a  sigh,  Jacquetta  left  the  room,  and  she  heard  the 
key  turn  behind  her  in  the  lock. 

The  proud  heart  of  Augusta  De  Vere  might  bleed  and 
break,  but  it  could  do  both  alone. 

She  turned  away,  and  passed  on  to  the  room  of  her 
patient,  where  she  found  that  handsome  youth  fast  asleep, 
and,  seeing  her  presence  Avas  not  required  there  either, 
she  finally  sought  her  own  room. 

It  was  rather  dull  down-stairs  that  evening,  for 
neither  Augusta  nor  Jacquetta  appeared  at  all.  Mr.  De 
Vere  and  Frank  both  retired  early,  and  so  Captain  Dis- 
browe  was  left  alone,  in  no  very  angelic  frame  of  mind, 
to  wander  through  the  lower  rooms  and  amuse  himself  as 
best  he  might,  and  wish  Jacquetta  would  join  him ;  but  no 


i 


I 


/I 


•  i-j 


!i 


ii8 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


Jacquetta  came.  At  length,  putting  on  his  hat,  he  set  off 
for  a  stroll,  with  his  own  thoughts  for  company. 

It  was  a  clear,  starlit  night,  mild  and  warm  as  June  ; 
and,  tempted  by  its  quiet  beauty,  he  walked  on  and  on, 
returning,  at  last,  by  the  north  wing,  that,  in  its  gloomy 
silence,  had  a  strange  fascination  for  him.  While  he  stood 
leaning  against  a  broken  pillar,  looking  up  at  it,  he  be- 
came conscious  of  voiv'^es  near  him ;  and  a  moment  after 
two  dark  forms  appeared  from  within  the  shelter  of  a  low, 
ruined  wall,  overrun  with  ivy.  One  was  the  tall  form  of 
a  man,  muffled  in  a  cloak,  and  wearing  a  slouched  hat 
dra\vn  down  over  his  face,  completely  hiding  it  from 
view,  and  the  other  was — could  he  believe  his  eyes  ? — the 
stately  form  of  his  proud  cousin,  Augusta  I 

Even  in  his  surprise — and  it  was  intense — he  saw  that 
they  seemed  to  shrink  from  each  other  with  a  sort  of 
dread,  or  horror,  or  fear ;  and  that  both  were  extremely 
agitated.  Once  he  saw  his  cousin  stop  and  make  a  frantic, 
passionate  gesture,  as  if-  she  would  have  hurled  herself 
madly  upon  the  stones  at  her  feet,  and  the  man  put  out  his 
arm  as  if  to  catch  her,  and  then  draw  it  back  and  recoil 
still  further  from  her.  Then  they  turned  an  angle  of  the 
wall  and  disappeared,  and  he  was  alone  in  the  light  of  the 
bright,  beautiful  stars  that  looked  serenely  down  on  that 
strange  meeting ;  as  they  have  looked  upon  many  other 
since  the  world  began. 

With  an  irresistible  impulse,  he  turned  to  follow  them, 
but  both  were  gone — vanished  like  phantoms  of  the  night ; 
and  he  turned  to  retrace  his  steps,  wondering  inwardly 
where  the  secrets  of  this  strange  old  house  were  to  end. 


\ 


CAPTAIN  DISBROWE  MAKES  A  DISCOVERY.  119 


■^  ili 


CHAPTER  XI. 


CAPTAIN  DISBROWE  MAKES  A  DISCOVERY. 

"  Ah  1  did  vv^e  take  for  heaven  above 
But  lialf  such  pains  as  we 
Take,  day  and  niglit,  for  woman's  love, 
What  angels  we  should  be." 

—Moore. 

"  The  top  of  the  mornin'  to  ye.  ^^aptain,  darlin' !  "  said  a 
voice,  in  a  slightly  foreign  accent.  And  the  next  mo- 
ment, Master  Frank,  with  a  whoop  that  spoke  well  for  the 
strength  of  his  lungs,  sprung  up  the  front  steps,  and  stood 
l)eside  Disbrowe,  who  was  lounging  indolently  against 
one  of  the  quaint  old  pillars  supporting  the  doorway,  look- 
ing at  the  north  wing,  and  thinking  of  the  little  incident 
of  the  previous  night. 

"  The  same  to  yourself,  my  sprig  of  shillaly,"  said  Dis- 
browe, lifting  his  eyes,  but  without  moving  from  his  lazy 
position. 

"  I  say,  Frank,"  he  added,  suddenly,  "  do  you  know 
anything  about  that  mysterious  old  tower  or  wing  over 
there  ?    I  think  there's  something  wrong  about  it." 

"  Why  ?  "  asked  Frank,  casting  an  uneasy  look,  first  on 
the  speaker,  and  then  on  the  place  indicated. 

"  Well,  from  nothing  that  I  know  of  my  own  know- 
ledge, of  course,"  replied  Disbrowe ;  "  but  it  has  a  con- 
foundedly suspicious,  ghostly  look  about  it  for  one  thing, 
and  I  saw  something  strange  there  a  few  nights  ago." 

"  You  did  1 "  said  Frank,  with  a  start,  "  What  was  it  ?  " 

"  A  light !  " — said  Disbrowe,  taking  out  a  cigar,  and 
biting  the  end  off — "  a  light  passing  the  front  window, 
and  shining  through  the  ivy  leaves.  It  was  late — about 
midnight,  I  think — and,  not  feeling  sleepy,  I  had  turned 
out  to  admire  the  beauties  of  Nature,  and  look  at  the 
moon,  and  all  that  sort  of  thing,  when,  to  my  surprise,  I 
saw  a  light  flashing  through  the  windows,  and  then  dis- 
appearing." 

"  Oh,  pooh ! — a  ^vill-o'-the-wisp — an  ignis  fatuiis — a  jack- 
o'-lantern,"  said  Frank,  giving  himself  an  uneasy  twist. 


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THE  DARK  SECRET. 


"  It  was  a  jack-o'-lantern  with  a  vengeance  !  "  said  Dis- 
browe,  laughing. 

«  Eh  ?  "  said  Frank,  looking  sharply  up. 

"  My  dear  young  friend,"  said  Captain  Disbrowe, 
lighting  hia  cigar,  and  drawing  a  few  whitf s,  "  allow  me 
to  say  that  breaking  yourself  of  that  nasty  habit  of  speak- 
ing in  abrupt  jerks  would  be  a  good  thing  to  do.  It 
gives  me  a  sensation  akin  to  a  galvanic  shock,  or  a  twinge 
of  toothache,  to  listen  to  you.  I  was  informing  you,  I 
believe,  that  I  saw  a  light  in  that  old  deserted  place  there, 
if  I  don't  mistake,  which  piece  of  information  allow  me 
to  repeat  now,  if  you  did  not  clearly  comprehend  it  the 
first  time." 

"  It  must  have  been  one  of  the  servants,"  said  Frank, 
taking  out  a  knife,  and  commencing  to  whittle. 

"  Perhaps,"  said  Captain  Disbrowe,  with  a  dubious 
smile,  as  he  mev'itatively  watched  the  wreaths  of  smoke 
curling  upward. 

"  You  don't  believe  me  ?  "  said  Frank,  looking  at  him. 

"  My  dear  boy,"  said  the  young  officer,  in  his  cold,  care- 
less way,  "  you  don't  suppose  I  could  possible  be  so  im- 
polite as  to  doubt  your  word  ?  At  the  same  time,  my 
amiable  young  friend,  allow  me  to  ask  you  if  your  servants 
are  in  the  habit  of  taking  nocturnal  excursions  through 
those  deserted  rooms,  or  what  possible  reason — since  they 
have  been  deserted  for  the  last  twenty  years — they  can 
have  at  all  for  going  there  ?  " 

Frank  looked  cautiously  over  his  shoulder  for  a  mo- 
ment to  see  that  no  one  was  listening,  and  then  coming 
closer  to  Disbrowe,  and  sinking  his  voice  to  a  cautious 
whisper,  he  said : 

"  I  tell  you  what,  cousin  Alfred,  there  is  something 
queer  about  that  old  place.  I've  always  thought  so,  and 
I've  seen  lots  of  little  things,  now  and  then,  to  confirm 
the  belief.  I  don't  know  what  it  is ;  and  what's  more, 
they  all  take  precious  good  care  I  shan't  know  either ; 
but  I'll  find  out  one  of  these  days,  as  sure  as  my  name's 
Frank  De  Vere — which  it  ain't,  for  that  matter.  Jack's 
posted,  I  know,  and  I'm  sure  she  has  something  to  do  with 
it.  Did  you  ever  hear  a  strange  sort  of  music  there  of 
nights  r " 


CAPTAIN  DISBROWK  MAKES  A  DISCOVERY.   121 


"Why?"  said  Disbrowe,  evasively,  remembering  his 
promise  to  Jacquetta. 

« Because  I  Iiave,  and  more  than  once.  When  I  get 
into  bed  I  flatter  myself  I  can  beat  any  one  to  death  in 
the  sleeping  line  ;  but  there  have  been  times  when  I  woke 
up,  and  I  have  heard  the  queerest,  solemnest  sort  of  far- 
off  music  at  the  dead  of  night,  and  I  am  quite  sure  it 
came  from  some  place  around  here.  I  asked  uncle  about 
it  the  first  time  I  heard  it,  and  I  wish  you  had  seen  the 
look  he  gave  me,  and  the  terrific  way  he  thundered; 
*  Begone,  sir  I  and  hold  your  tongue,  and  ne  ver  speak  of 
such  a  thing  again  at  your  peril ! '  It  beat  a  stern  father 
in  a  melodrama  all  to  nothing ;  so  I  bothered  him  no  more 
after  that." 

"  I  wonder  you  never  asked  Jack." 

"  Well,  I  don't  know ;  there  a  sort  of  touch-me-not 
flash  in  Jack's  eyes  now  and  then  when  you  tread  on  for- 
bidden ground,  and  somehow  I've  always  felt  that  she's 
more  concerned  in  this  affair  than  any  of  the  rest.  Of 
course,  I  don't  know — I  only  guess  ;  and,  as  it  happens, 
I  generally  guess  pretty  accurately.  *  Tis  the  evening  of 
life  gives  me  mystical  lore.' " 

"  And  coming  events  cast  their  shadows  before,"  said 
Disbrowe,  pointing  to  an  approaching  shadow ;  and,  even 
as  he  spoke,  Jacquetta  herself  flashed  up  the  steps,  and 
stood  bright  and  smiling  before  them. 

"  Bo7i  matin^  messieurs  !     Hope  I  don't  intrude  ?  " 

"  Angels  can  never  be  intruders  !  "  said  Disbrowe,  fling- 
ing away  his  cigar,  and  touching  his  hat.  "  A  thousand 
welcomes,  my  bright  Aurora  I  " 

"  Now  don't !  "  said  Jacquetta,  with  a  slight  grimace. 
"  I  can't  stand  too  much  of  that,  you  know.  It's  like 
burnt  brandy — a  very  little  of  it  goes  a  long  way,  and  is 
very  filling  at  the  price.  What  momentous  affairs  were 
you  discussing  so  learnedly  just  now,  as  I  came  up  ?  " 

"  We  were  discussing  Miss  Jacquetta  De  Vere  !  " 

"  Well,  I  don't  know  as  you  could  have  found  a  better 
subject,  at  once  edifying  and  instructive.  But  what  say 
you  to  breakfast  now',  as  a  change  of  subject  ?  " 

"A  most  agreeable  change,"  said  Disbrowe;  ^'«nd 
though,  perhaps,  not  so  delightful  as  the  other,  a  good 


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122 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


deal  more  substantial.  I  move  an  immediate  adjourn- 
ment." 

«l  second  the  motion,"  said  Frank,  shutting  up  his 
knife,  and  putting  it  in  his  pocket. 

«  What  is  the  programme  for  to-day  ?  "  said  Jacquetta, 
as  they  moved  toward  the  breakfast-parlor. 

"  Haven't  decided  yet,"  said  Disbrowe.  "  Most  likely 
you  will  devote  yourself  solely  to  our  handsome  patient, 
in  which  case,  by  the  time  evening  comes,  you  will  very 
probably  find  my  melancholy  tl  mains  suspended  from  the 
nearest  tree— a  victim  to  the  blue-devils  and  the  most 
hard-hearted  of  cousins !  " 

"  A  consummation  devoutly  to  be  wished  !  "  said  Jac- 
quetta, with  a  laugh.  "  But,  having  some  regard  for  the 
feelings  of  the  family,  allow  me  to  suggest  an  alternative 
to  so  direful  a  catastrophe.  I  am  going  to  visit  one  of  my 
pensioners  this  afternoon,  about  a  mile  from  this ;  and,  if 
you  will  promise  to  be  good,  and  not  pay  me  too  many 
compliments,  you  may  come.     I  have  spoken." 

"  A  hundred  thousand  thanks,  most  angelic  of  thy 
sex  I  "  said  Disbrowe,  laying  his  hand  on  his  heart,  and 
bowing  after  the  manner  of  gentlemen  on  the  stage,  who 
go  down  head-foremost,  until  nothing  is  to  be  seen  but  the 
tails  of  their  coat.  "  I  am  ready  to  swear  by  *  all  the 
vows  that  ever  men  have  broken,'  as  my  friend  Shake- 
speare has  it,  to  talk  to  order  on  any  subject,  from  lovo 
and  murder  do^vn  to  the  latest  style  of  '  gents '  superior 
vests,'  for  so  delectable  a  privilege.  I'm  ready  to  vow  the 
severest  obedience  to  all  and  every  command  that  may 
issue  from  lips  so  beautiful ;  and  what's  more,  as  my  friend 
Shakespeare  further  remarks,  am  ready  to  '  seal  the  bar- 
gain with  a  holy  kiss.'  " 

«  And  I'll  witness  the  transaction,"  said  Frank,  T\ith  a 
chuckle.     "  But  here  comes  Gusty." 

As  he  spok^  Augusta  swept  past,  with  one  of  her 
slight,  haughty  courtesies,  and  took  her  place  at  the  table, 
followed  by  the  others.  Disbrowe  thought  of  the  myste- 
rious interview  of  the  night  before,  and  looked  at  her 
curiously ;  but  the  cold,  pale  face  was  high  and  immovable, 
and  marble-like  in  its  lofty  pride  anu  repelling  hauteur. 
Not  the  faintest  trace  of  emotion  was  visible  in  that 


/ 


CAPTAIN  DISBROWE  MAKES  A  DISCOVERY.  123 


coldly-beautiful  face ;  the  long  dark  lashes  swept  the  white 
cheeks,  and  vailed  the  dusky,  brooding  eyes ;  the  pale  lips 
were  comprevssed — scorning,  in  their  curved  pride,  all  help 
and  sympathy  ;  the  shiny,  jetty  hair  was  combed  down 
either  side  of  the  high,  noble,  queenly  brow — like  alabas- 
ter in  its  purity — and  simply  knotted  behind  the  haughty 
head.  Had  she  been  of  steel  or  stone  she  would  have 
looked  as  human  as  she  did  then ;  and  yet  this  was  the 
girl  he  had  seen  ready  to  dash  herself  on  the  pitiless  rocks 
the  night  before,  in  her  intolerable  agony  of  woe  and 
despair.  She  scarcely  spoke  or  moved  or  lifted  her  eyes 
while  she  sat  with  them — there  in  body,  but  oh,  so  im- 
measural)ly  distant  in  spirit !  But  once  in  answering  some 
question  of  his,  she  had  for  a  second  or  two,  looked  up, 
and  then  he  saw  the  dark,  settled  night  of  anguish  in 
those  large,  melancholy  eyes. 

Jacquetta  was,  as  usual,  the  life  and  soul  of  them  all — 
keeping  up  a  constant  war  of  words,  and  a  steady  fire  of 
short,  sharp,  stinging  repartee  with  the  company  gen- 
erally— sometimes  provoking  Disbrowe  to  laughter,  and 
sometimes  to  anger,  and  appearing  most  delightfully  in- 
different to  both.  Then  she  undertook  to  give  an  account 
of  his  escapade  with  Captain  Nick  Tempest  to  his  uncle, 
burlesquing  the  whole  affair,  and  holding  him  especially 
up  in  so  ridiculous  a  light  that  she  had  the  old  gentleman 
and  Frank  laughing  most  heartily,  and  had  Disbrowe  so 
indignant  and  mortified  that  he  could  have  shaken  her 
then  and  there  with  a  right  good  will.  But  thinking  it 
beneath  his  dignity  as  a  man,  he  joined  in  the  laugh 
against  himself. 

After  breakfast  the  young  lady  went  off  to  see  Jacinto 
— as  she  took  the  trouble  of  informing  our  gallant  young 
officer  before  starting ;  and  he,  with  Frank,  sauntered  out 
to  a  trout- stream  the  latter  knew  of,  where  they  could 
pass  the  morning.  As  usual,  their  theme  was  Jack  ;  and 
an  inexhaustible  theme  they  found  it,  and  mighty  interest- 
ing to  both. 

"  She  spoke  of  going  to  see  one  of  her  pensioners,"  said 
Disbrowe.     "  How  many  has  she  got  ?  " 

"  Oh,  lots.  And  a  precious  lot,  too.  There's  one  of 
them,  now,"  said  Frank,  pointing  to  a  hump-backed,  idiot- 


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124 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


looking  boy  who  approached  them  holding  a  brace  of 
partridges.     *'  Hallo,  Dickie  I     Where  are  you  bound  for  V  " 

"  There,"  said  the  lad,  pointing  with  a  nod  and  a  grin 
toward  Fon  telle. 

"  Wlio  are  the  birds  for?"  said  Frank,  attempting  to 
look  at  them. 

"  You  let  'em  alone  1  "  said  Dickie,  dodging  back  and 
assuming  a  belligerent  attitude.  "  They're  for  her — 
Miss  Jack ;  you  let  them  alone — will  you  V  " 

"  All  right,"  said  Frank,  laughing.  "  Go  on,  Dickie. 
Give  my  compliments  to  the  town-pump  the  next  time 
you  see  it." 

"  And  that's  one  of  her  proteges  f  "  said  Disbrowe,  glan- 
cing carelessly  after  him.  "  An  interesting  one,  upon  my 
word !  If  ever  I  do  that  sort  of  a  thing,  I  shall  only 
adopt  pretty  little  girls." 

"And  marry  them  when  they  grow  up — not  a  bad 
notion,  that,"  laughed  Frank.  "And  as  pretty  little 
girls  are  to  be  had  for  the  asking,  you  will  soon  have  a 
houseful.     Suppose  you  begin  with  little  Orrie  Howlet  ?  '* 

"  Faith,  I  shouldn't  mind.  She  came  next  door  to  pro- 
posing the  last  time  I  saw  her.  But  how  came  Miss  Jack 
to  adopt  that  picture  of  ugliness  ?  " 

"  Well,  *  thereby  hangs  a  tale.'  It  was  one  day,  about 
two  years  ago,  Jack  was  down  to  Green  Creek  ;  and,  pass- 
ing by  a  tavern,  she  saw  a  lot  of  rowdies  and  loafers 
crowding  round  poor,  silly  Dickie,  laughing,  taunting, 
jeering,  and  kicking,  and  pulling,  and  hauling  the  poor 
lellow  until  they  had  him  half-maddened.  A  sight  like 
that  Tv^as  enough  to  make  Jack's  blood  blaze  ;  and  in  a  mo- 
ment she  had  darted  fiercely  through  them,  and  stood  de- 
fending Dick,  stamping  her  foot,  and  blowing  them  up 
right  and  left  as  only  she  can — calling  them  a  set  of 
cowards  and  rascals,  the  whole  of  them.  I  expect  they 
were  rather  startled  to  see  such  a  little  fury,  for  all  fell 
back  but  one  half-tipsy  fellow,  who  seized  her  by  the  arm 
in  a  threatening  manner.  With  a  perfect  shriek  of  pas- 
sion. Jack  sprung  back,  and  dashed  her  hand  in  his  face 
with  such  force  that,  big  as  he  was,  he  reeled  back,  and 
saw  more  stars,  I  reckon,  than  he  ever  saw  before.  Dick 
had  taken  to  his  heels  the  moment  he  found  himself  free; 


CAPTAIN  DISBROWE  MAKES  A  DISCOVERY.  125 


so  Jacciuetta,  having  stopped  to  assure  them  onco  more 
that  they  were  a  set  of  low,  mean,  cowardly  knaves  to  so 
abuse  Dickie,  took  her  departure,  while  the  rest  f<.;'rcibly 
held  back  the  drunken  scoundrel,  who  seemed  very  anx- 
ious to  pommel  her." 

«  And  has  he  never  attempted  to  injure  her  since  ? " 
said  Disbrowe. 

"  No,"  said  Frank.  "  A  very  remarkable  circumstance 
caused  him  to  change  his  mind.  Shortly  after  the  adven- 
ture I  have  just  related,  news  came  that  Goose  Creek  was 
rising,  and  was  likely  to  carry  away  the  bridge.  Jack 
mounted  Lightning  and  rode  down ;  and  there,  sure 
enough,  an  immense  crowd  was  gathered  on  the  banks, 
watching  the  creek  roaring,  and  foaming,  and  dashing 
along ;  and  there  was  the  bridge  all  broken — and  shaking 
planks  that  every  second  might  be  carried  away.  Just  as 
Jack  reached  the  place,  there  was  a  great  cry  that  a  man 
had  been  carried  off  the  bank,  and  directly  they  heard  his 
screams  for  help ;  and  there  he  was  clinging  to  a  large 
rock  in  the  middle  of  the  creek,  and  shrieking  out  to  them 
for  God's  sake  not  to  let  him  drown.  A  lot  of  men  got  a 
rope,  and  tried  to  throw  it  to  him,  but  it  was  impossible 
for  him  to  reach  it,  unless  some  one  ventured  out  on  the 
plank  and  risked  their  own  lives  for  him.  No  one  would, 
however,  for  he  was  a  miserable,  drunken  wretch ;  and  in 
another  minute  he  would  have  been  swept  away,  if  Jac- 
quetta  had  not  sprung  off  her  horse,  seized  the  rope,  and 
while  the  crowd  stood  speechless  with  horror,  darted  out 
on  the  plank.  I  tell  you,  cousin  Alfred,  as  they  saw  her 
standing  there,  that  young  girl,  on  that  frail  plank,  cv^er 
that  foaming  torrent,  so  bravely  risking  her  life  to  save 
another's,  every  nicvn,  woman  and  child  there  dropped  on 
their  knees,  and  the  silence  of  death  reigned.  8he  reached 
tlie  middle  of  the  plank,  she  flung  him  the  lope  ;  but  be- 
fore she  could  turn,  the  plank  was  swept  from  under  her, 
and  she  was  hurled  headlong  into  the  foaming  torrent.'* 

"  Heavens  ! "  gasped  Disbrowe,  with  a  paling  cheek,  as 
though  he  saw  it  before  him. 

"  There  Avas  a  cry  as  of  one  mighty  voice  from  that 
crowd,"  continued  Frank,  "  as  they  saw  her  fall ;  but  clear 
and  high  above  all  arose  her  rmgmg  voice :    *  Pull,  men — 


If'- 1 


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126 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


pull !  Don't  let  me  drown  1  "  She  held  on  firmly,  and 
the  next  minute  the  pair  of  them  stood  high — and  dry  I 
was  going  to  say,  only  it  wouldn't  be  true — on  dry  land. 
And  a  hearty  cheer  from  the  spectators  greeted  them." 

Frank's  cheeks  were  flushed,  and  his  eyes  were  glisten- 
ing at  the  recollection. 

"  And  there  she  stood — God  bless  her ! — dripping  like 
a  water-goddess,  and  listening  to  their  shouts  as  coolly 
and  composedly  as  though  they  were  so  many  French 
dolls.  I  stood  there,  hugging  her,  I  believe,  and  crying, 
and  laughing,  and  shouting  all  together — to  all  of  which 
her  sole  reply  was,  as  she  jerked  herself  away,  *  Frank, 
don't  squeeze  me  so  ;  don't  you  see  my  wet  clothes  are 
spoiling  your  new  pants  ?  " 

This  winding  up  was  so  characteristic  of  Jacquetta,  that 
Disbrowe  began  to  laugh. 

"And  the  man — what  of  him?" 

"  Oh,  he  was  the  same  fellow  that  she  struck  for  taking 
hold  of  her  when  she  interfered  in  behalf  of  Dick — and  a 
worthless  scamp  he  was ;  but  from  that  day  he  reformed ; 
got  sober  and  industrious,  and  is  a  first-rate  old  fellow 
now ;  and  would  die  gladly,  I  believe  in  my  soul,  for  Jack. 
So,  there's  the  history  of  two  of  her  protegU.'^'* 

It  was  strange  the  effect  these  and  similar  stories  of 
Jacquetta's  daring  and  kindness  of  heart  had  on  Disbrowe. 
Softened  and  tender  his  thoughts  of  her  grew,  until  his 
cheek  flushed,  and  his  eye  fired,  and  his  pulses  bounded, 
and  he  drew  a  long,  quivering  breath,  and  he  wished  f roni 
the  very  deptlis  of  his  soul  she  were  an  heiress,  with  a 
rent-roll  of  twenty  thousand  a  year,  that  he  might  dare 
to  love  her.  As  it  was,  he  might  as  well  venture  to  fall 
in  love  with  the  moon,  for  all  hope  he  ever  could  have 
of  marrying  her. 

"  That's  the  worst  of  it  vrith  poor  devils  of  younger 
brothers  like  me.  mthout  a  rap  to  bless  themselves  with ! 
They  can't  fall  in  love  like  decent  Christians,  and  marry 
whom  they  please ;  but,  whew !  Alfred  Disbrowe,  my 
boy,  do  you  know  what  you  are  talking  about  ?  What 
have  you  to  do  with  falling  in  love — ^you  who  are  signed 
sealed  and  delivered — as  good  as  married  already  ?  I 
wish  I  had  never  seen  Jack  De  Vere !  "  he  exclaimed, 


CAPTAIN  Di3BR0WE  MAKES  A  DISCOVERY.   127 


almost  passionately.  "  That  girl  can  bedevil,  with  her 
■wild,  witching  ways,  whoever  she  pleases,  and  I'll  be 
sure  to  go  and  make  a  fool  of  myself  before  I  have  done  I 
Oh,  Jack  De  Vere !  you  compound  of  inconsistencies ! 
was  there  ever  one  like  you  before  in  the  world  ?  " 

Sitting  there,  he  thought  of  her  in  all  her  changing 
moods,  until  the  momentary  gloom  that  had  overspread 
his  fine  face  passed  away,  and  again  he  laughed. 

"  What  a  sensation  she  would  make  among  the  titled 
dames  who  crowd  Fontelle  Park,  to  be  sure — wild  Yankee 
girl !  I  thhik  I  see  Lady  J'/largaret's  look  of  horror  juid 
consternation,  Earnecliffe's  haughty  dismay,  and  the  won- 
der and  amazement,  not  to  say  terror,  of  the  rest.  How 
Tom  Vane,  and  Lord  Austrey,  and  all  the  rest  of  the  fast 
bloods,  would  rave  about  her ;  and  how  she  would  be 
toasted  and  talked  of — the  liomie  of  the  day  I  Ileigho ! 
wdiat  a  pity  it  is  a  man  dare  not  do  as  he  pleases  I  If 
some  kind  fairy  would  give  me  fifty  thousiind  pounds  this 
moment,  I  believe,  in  my  soul,  I  would  marry  the  girl,  if 
she  would  have  me,  in  spite  of  fate  and- — Xorma  Mac- 
donald  !  " 

In  a  more  thoughtful  mood  than  was  customary  with 
the  gay,  careless,  nonchalant  young  guardsman,  he  walked 
back  to  Fontelle,  and  watched  Jacquetta,  during  dinner, 
with  a  strange  mingling  of  i)ain  and  pleasure.  So  gay,  so 
bright,  so  bewitching  she  was — this  sparkling  fay  of  the 
moonlight —this  bright-winged  little  bird  of  Paradise — 
this  daring,  dauntless-hearted  Joan  of  Arc — that  he  would 
have  given  worlds,  at  that  moment,  could  he,  for  one  in- 
stant, have  called  her  his.  With  a  thrill  that  tmgled 
through  every  vein  in  his  heart.  Captain  Alfred  Di^browe 
— the  brother  of  an  earl — a  peer  of  the  realm  in  prospec- 
tive— made  the  discovery  that  he  v/as  falling  in  love,  and 
with  this  penniless,  red-haired  "  Yankee  girl." 

An  hour  after  diiuier,  she  came  flying  in  her  light, 
breezy  way,  down-stairs,  equipped  for  her  walk,  and  look- 
ing more  beautiful,  he  thought,  than  he  had  ever  seen  her 
before.  Her  dark-blue  dress  and  black  velvet  shawl  set 
oft'  the  exquisite  fairness  of  her  pearly  complexion ;  her 
cheeks  were  flushed  ;  her  gray  eyes  shone  and  sparkled 
like  stars  ',  her  smiling  mouth  looked  more  like  a  rose-bud 


li-l 


^11 


.«!  I. 


\f 


r    .  .; ' 


128 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


than  ever,  and  her  short,  ])right,  dancing  curls  flashed 
around  her  snow-white,  polislied,  laughing  forehead,  with 
a  careless  grace  of  their  own,  that  almost  surprised  Dis- 
l:rowe  into  an  inward  conviction  that  there  teas  a  possi- 
bility of  red  hair  looking  i)retty.  But,  then,  the  honor- 
able captain  was  falling  in  love  with  their  fairy  owner, 
and  could  not  be  expected  to  be  an  impartial  judge. 

"  Do  you  know  what  I  was  doing  this  morning  ?  "  said 
Jacquetta,  as  they  walked  along. 

"  Well,"  said  Disbrowe,  "  I  don't  pretend  to  divination  ; 
but  I  think  I  can  guess.  You  were,  most  probably,  sitting 
beside  your  handsome  patient." 

"  Exactly  1  You  are  as  smart  at  guessing  as  a  Yankee. 
But  T  was  doing  something  more.     I  was  reading." 

"  Ah !  were  you  ?     Your  prayer-book,  I  suppose  ?  " 

"  Dear  me !  how  sarcastic  we  are  !  No — it  was  a  novel 
— an  old  story  ;  so  old  and  simple  that  the  fastidious,  re- 
fined Captain  Disbrawe  would  pitch  it  away  with  a  con- 
temptuous *  pshaw  1 '  as  unworthy  his  imperial  notice  ; 
yet  I  liked  it." 

"  Captain  Disbrowe  would  have  liked  anything  you 
did,  my  dear  chLd." 

"  Oh,  would  he  ?  Leaping  over  the  Demon's  Gorge,  for 
instance.     He  didn't  seem  to  like  that !  " 

"  Most  malicious  of  fairies  1  am  I  never  to  hear  the  last 
of  that  ?  "       ^ 

"  Don't  pay  compliments,  then.  But,  about  this  story 
— I  was  reading  it  to  Jacinto,  and  he  liked  it,  too ;  and 
he's  a  judge  of  good  things,  Jacinto  is.  Knows  so  much 
too — is  a  heap  too  clever  for  a  foreigner,  in  fact." 

"  No  doubt  you  think  so,"  said  Disbrowe,  bitterly  ;  "  he 
is  perfection  in  your  eyes — a  young  jackanapes  1 " 

"  Come,  Captain  Disbrowe,  be  civil.  I  can't  stand  this, 
you  know.  But,  in  this  old  story  I  was  telling  you  of, 
when  you  were  so  impolite  as  to  put  me  out,  there  was  a 
young  nobleman  who  fell  in  love  with  a  peasant  girl — 
one  of  his  father's  tenants — and  she  fell  in  love  with  him." 

"  A  peasant  girl !  What  a  precious  fool  he  must  have 
been !  "  said  Disbrowe,  sotto  voce. 

"  Well,  his  father  heard  it,  and  raised  no  end  of  a  row. 
In  vain  the  lover  pleaded ;  the  old  gentleman  was  inexor- 


CAPTAIN  DISBROWE  MAKES  A  DISCOVERY.  129 


able — wouldn't  be  brought  to  view  matters  in  their  proper 
light  at  all,  and  ended  by  banishing  his  son  from  home ; 
and,  when  he  got  him  away,  compelling  the  girl  to  marry 
somebody  else." 

"  Well,  I  dare  say  slie  was  willing  enough,"  said  Dis- 
browe  ;  "  girls  generally  are,  to  get  married.  What  did 
the  fortunate  young  gentleman  do  when  he  heard  it? 
Married  some  Lady  Seraphine  Arm,  I  suppose." 

"No,  sir  1  he  died  of  a  broken  heart  1  Wliat  do  you 
think  of  thatV"  said  Jacquetta,  triumphantly. 

Disbrowe  laughed.  "  What  a  paragon  he  was  I  Ought 
to  be  labeled  and  sent  to  the  British  Museum,  as  the 
eighth,  last,  and  greatest  wonder  of  the  world.  A  man 
with  a  broken  heart!  Ye  gods!"  And  Captain  Dis- 
browe laughed  immoderately. 

"  Oh,  you  may  laugh,"  said  Jacquetta  ;  "  but  my  belief 
is,  that  there  are  some  men  who  have  hearts  to  break,  in 
this  flinty  world,  if  one  could  only  fmd  them.  Now,  what 
would  you  do,  cousin  Alt',  for  a  woman  you  loved  ?  " 

"  Something  better  than  break  my  heart,  I  should  hope." 

"  Are  you  quite  sure  you  have  one  to  break  ?  W^ould 
you  risk  your  life  for  her  V  "  ^  \ 

"  No  ;  something  better." 

"Die,  then?" 

"Die?— not  I!     Better  still." 

"  What,  then?    I  give  it  up." 

"  Make  her  Mm.  D." 

"  That  Avould  be  a  climax  of  happiness,  certainly !  Oh, 
the  self-conceit  of  man  !  And  so  that  is  all  the  extent  to 
which  your  gallantry  would  carry  you,  is  it  ?  " 

"  Ah,  ma  belle,  what  would  1  not  risk  for  you  1  "  said 
Disbrowe,  softly,  with  his  handsome  eyes  fixed  on  her  face. 

Jacquetta  laughed.  "  Dreadfully  obliged,  I'm  sure  I 
And  here  goes  to  test  that  declaration.  Climb  up  there 
and  bring  me  those  flowers." 

A  huge,  steep  bowlder,  almost  perpendicular,  reared  up 
near  them,  and  at  a  dizzy  height  from  the  ground  a  cluster 
of  pretty  pink  flowers  grew  in  a  cleft.  Jacquetta  pointed 
to  these,  and  said,  imperatively,  "  Climb  !  " 

Had  she  told  liim  to  spring  into  the  seething  crater  of 
Mount  Vesuvius  in  that  tone,  he  would  have  obeyed. 


•I- 


1;!' 


!' 


I 


I30 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


Before  tlie  word  had  well  piiased  her  lips,  ho  was  already 
on  his  way  \\\)  the  giddy  steep. 

It  was  a  dangerous  place  to  venture,  only  suited  to  cats 
and  sailors,  and  other  wild  aniniaLs,  accustomed  to  walk 
on  air;  but  Captain  Dishrowe  was  young,  lithe,  and  ac- 
tive, and  went  up  with  marvelous  sj)eed,  clinging  to  loose 
pieces  of  rock,  and  hardy,  projecting  plants.  Jacqnetta 
stood  Ijelow,  watching  him  with  a  queer  smile  on  her 
pretty  face. 

Tie  rea(?hed  the  cleft  at  last,  seized  the  flowers,  and  pre- 
pared to  descend  ;  but — alas  for  his  knight-errantry  ! — the 
treacherous  stone  on  which  he  stood  gave  way,  and  the 
next  instant  he  lay  stunned  and  motionless  on  the  ground. 

With  a  great  cry,  Jacquetta  sprung  forward  and  bent 
over  him.  Without  sign  of  life  he  lay,  and  kneeling  be- 
side him,  she  raised  his  head,  crying  out  in  tones  of  pas- 
sionate grief : 

"  Oh,  Alfi'cd  1  cousin  Alfred  !  look  up — speak  to  me  I 
— say  you  are  not  hurt !  Oh,  he  is  dead  !  and  I  have  killed 
him  I " 

She  bent  ove:'  him  as  he  lay,  cold  and  still,  and  her  lips 
touched  his  cheek.  Tlie  next  instant,  she  recoiled  in  ter- 
ror at  the  hot  rush  of  blood  that  followed  that  slight 
caress. 

But  that  was  enough.  As  a  slight  dent  with  a  boy's 
foot  once  overflowed  the  dam,  and  changed  it  ' .  a  foaming 
torrent,  so  everything  was  swept  with  resistless  force 
from  his  mind  at  the  touch  of  those  rosy  lips,  save  the 
one  thrilling,  tumultuous  thought  that  he  loved  her,  with 
all  his  heart  and  soul.  The  next  moment  she  was  in  his 
arms,  held  there  almost  fiercely,  while  he  stooi)8d  over  her, 
with  a  strange  fire  burning  in  his  dark  ej^es,  and  a  strange 
flush  on  his  handsome  face,  crying  out  fiercely,  passion- 
ately:  '  : 

"  Jacquetta !  Jacquetta !  I  love  you  I  " 

With  a  cry  that  he  never  forgot — a  cry  fiercer,  wilder, 
more  passionate  than  his  own — she  dashed  his  retaining 
arms  away,  wrenched  herself  from  his  grasp,  and  clasping 
her  hands  over  her  ears,  as  if  to  shut  out  the  sound,  fled — 
fled  for  more  than  life — away. 


A  STRANGE  MEETING. 


131 


CHAPTER  XIT. 


A  STKAN(tK    MEETING. 

"  Dare  you  Hnpjer  liero  at  midnight, 
Alone  whon  the  wind  is  about? 
And  tlie  bat,  and  tiie  newt,  and  the  viper, 

And  the  creeping  things  coino  out. 
Beware  of  these  ghostly  chambers, 

Search  not  what  my  lieart  hath  been, 
Lest  you  tind  a  phantom  sitting 
Where  once  there  sat  a  queen." 

—Owen  Meredith. 


It  was  in  rather  a  peculiar  mood,  to  use  a  mild  phrase, 
that  the  Honorable  Alfred  Disbrowc  walked  home. 
There  was  a  great  many  conflicting  feelings  surging 
through  his  mind,  and  chief  among  them  were  astonish- 
ment and  mortification.  Did  ever  man  in  this  world 
make  a  proposal,  and  have  it  answered  in  such  fashion  aa 
this?  Did  ever  any  living  bemg  behold  sncli  a  provok- 
ing little  minx  as  this  fierce,  unreadable,  little  enigma — 
this  savage  little  wildcat,  who  unsheathed  her  claws  and 
scratched,  the  moment  he  came  too  near — this  young  tor- 
nado— this  small  flash  of  lightning — this  little  grenade,  all 
jets,  and  fire,  and  sparkles  ?  It  would  have  been  a  comfort 
to  get  hold  of  her — to  shake  her — to  pull  her  ears,  and 
then  love  her  a  thousand-fold  more  than  ever.  Captain 
Disbrowe  was  just  in  the  mood  to  do  both.  He  could 
have  boxed  her  ears  with  all  his  heart,  and  yet  never  had 
that  heart  thrilled  in  all  his  life  as  it  was  thrilling  at  that 
moment  to  the  sound  of  her  name.  How  his  pulses^ 
leaped,  and  his  blood  bounded  at  the  recollection  of  her 
small,  involuntary,  cousinly  caress.  Oh,  Jacquetta  I  Jac- 
quetta ! — you  little  inflammation  of  the  heart ! — you  little 
thunderclap  I  how  much  you  had  to  answer  for,  for 
throwing  the  indolent,  nonchalant,  careless  Captain 
Alfred  Disbrowe  into  such  a  state  of  mind  as  that ! 

He  reached  home,  at  last — half-hoping,  half-dreading, 
to  meet  Jacquetta.    The  drawing-room  door  lay  open. 


I    f 


1 ' 


Ml 


•f' 
1*1' 


^n  t., 


i  ll' 


132 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


and  a  clear,  sweet  voice  he  knew  only  too  well,  was  sing- 
ing; 

"  Oh,  the  Laird  o'  Cockpen,  he's  proud  and  he's  great, 
His  min^Vs  taken  up  wi'  the  things  o'  the  state." 

"  There !  there  is  a  hole  in  the  ballad  I  Where's  papa, 
Frank?" 

"  Up-stairs,  in  the  library,"  said  Frank,  sauntering  out, 
encountering  Disbrowe  in  the  hall. 

Disbrowe  went  in — half  afraid  to  do  it,  too,  for  he  could 
not  tell  how  Jacquetta  would  meet  him.  She  was  lying 
back,  half-buried  in  the  downy  cushion  of  a  lounge,  ca- 
ressing her  huge,  savage  dog,  Lion,  who  crouched  at  her 
feet,  licking  her  hand  and  watching  her  with  his  eyes  of 
flame.  As  Disbrowe  entered,  he  started  up,  with  a  growl 
like  distp.nt  thunder. 

"  Now,  Lion,  be  quiet  I — have  manners,  can't  you  ?  It's 
only  your  cousin  Alfred,  you  know.  Come  in,  my  dear 
sir ;  I'm  alone  here,  and  feel  awfully  blue."  And  a  dreary 
yawn  attested  the  truth  of  her  words. 

As  Captain  Disbrowe,  angry  and  provoked  at  this  un- 
looked-for sort  of  greeting,  obeyed,  and  flung  himself, 
half-sullenly,  into  an  arm-chair,  her  eyes  fell  on  the 
dearly-bought  flowers  which,  almost  unknown  to  himself, 
he  still  carried  in  his  hand. 

"Oh,  what  pretty  flowers!  Hand  them  here,  cousin 
Alfred.     Lion,  go  after  them." 

Lion  dutifully  got  up  and  '^rotted  over,  took  the  flowers 
in  his  mouth  and  brought  them  to  his  mistress. 

"  How  sweet  they  are — how  pretty — almost  as  delicious 
as  the  giver !  "  And  the  wicked  fairy  looked  up,  and 
laughed  in  his  face. 

With  a  suppressed  oath.  Captain  Disbrowe  sprung  to 
his  fe  't  and  began  pacing,  with  passionate  strides,  up  and 
down.  Of  all  her  wilful  moods,  he  had  not  supposed  she 
would  meet  him  like  this :  scorn  and  anger — blushing  and 
avoidance — silence  and  hauteur,  he  could  have  borne  and 
managed;  but  this — this  sublime  forgetfulness  of  the 
whole  thing — this  audacious  coolness  and  unconcern  1 
Had  she  been  trying  for  years,  she  could  not  have  hit 
on  a  way  so  likely  to  enrage  him ;  and  I  am  afraid,  aa 


;  >i 


A  STRANGE  MEETING. 


133 


he  ground  his  teeth,  more  than  one  naughty  word  es- 
caped. 

Jacquetta  arched  her  eyebrows,  and  pursed  up  her  lips. 

"  Why,  cousin  Alfred  I  Good  gracious  !  I  wonder  you 
ain't  ashamed !     Do  you  know  what  you  said,  sir  ?  " 

"  Jacquetta,  you  will  drive  me  mad ! "  he  exclaimed, 
passionately. 

"Dear  me!  you  said  it  again!  Now,  Lion,  behave 
yourself !     Don't  eat  all  my  flowers  that  way  !  " 

"  Jacquetta,  will  you  listen  to  me  ?  "  he  cried,  stopping 
before  her  in  his  excited  walk. 

"Well — proceed." 

"  Jacquetta,  I  love  you." 

"  Well,  I'm  glad  to  hear  it,  I'm  sure.  It  shows  a  good 
deal  of  good  sense  on  your  part.  Now,  Lion,  will  you 
stop  eating  my  flowers?" 

"  Oh,  saints  and  angels  1  grant  me  patience  !  Jacquetta, 
you  will  drive  me  mad !  " 

"Well,  you  told  me  that  before,  if  I  don't  mistake. 
What's  the  good  of  repeating  it  ?    Go  on." 

With  a  fierce  imprecation,  he  was  up  again,  striding  up 
and  down  as  if  he  really  was  mad.  Jacquetta  rose  on  her 
elbow,  adjusted  her  pillow,  so  that  she  could  lie  and  watch 
him  comfortably. 

"  Cruel ! — heartless ! — unwomanly !  "  burst  passionately 
from  his  lips,  as  he  strode  on  without  heeding  her. 

She  looked  at  him  with  a  strange,  mocking  smile  on  her 
face,  and  drew  the  ears  of  her  savage  pet  through  her 
fingers. 

"Not  tired  yet,"  she  said,  when  he  ceased.  "Perhaps 
you  are  going  into  training  for  a  pedestrian  ?  " 

"  Insulting ! — unfeeling   coquette ! "  he   bitterly   cried. 

She  arose,  haughtily. 

"  You  forget  yourself,  sir !  Another  word  like  that, 
and  I  leave  the  room  I  " 

"  Oh,  Jacquetta !  you  are  enough  to  drive  a  man  crazy  1 
but  forgive  me,  I  hardly  knew  what  I  was  saying." 

"  So  I  think,  Capain  Disbrowe !  Had  you  not  better 
come  to  your  senses  as  soon  as  possible  ?  " 

"  Jacquetta,  are  you  merciless  ?  I  have  asked  for  bread 
— shall  I  get  a  stone  ?  " 


1    1   t 


Ml! 


n 


I 


I  i 


I'  1 


u 

if  1-, ' 


UP 
h  I 


III 


'! 


If;  f 

h 


*! 


134 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


"  You  deserve  a  viper,  sir !  Sit  down,  I  tell  you ! "  she 
said,  imperiously. 

He  obeyed,  with  something  like  a  groan. 

"  Now,  then.  Captain  Disbrowe,  what  do  you  want  ?  " 

"  Yottj  Jacquetta  ! — my  love  ! — my  darling  1 " 

Oh,  the  infinite  depth  of  mockery  in  her  eyes  and  smile  I 

"  Indeed !     And  what  do  you  want  of  me,  pray  ?" 

"  Oh,  Jacquetta !  what  a  question ! " 

"Is  it?  I  see  nothing  extraordinary  in  it.  If  you 
came  and  asked  me  for  Lion,  here,  I  should  probably  ask 
you  what  you  wanted  of  him,  as  well.  And  I  rather 
fancy  you  would  find  it  an  easier  question  to  answer  than 
this."  '    ■  ■  .  -  -   ■,..'■:■ 

He  was  silent,  and  bit  his  lip.  The  look  of  intense 
mockery  on  Jacquetta's  face  was  mingled  now  with  un- 
utterable scorn. 

"Oh,  the  wisdom  of  these  men!  Oh,  this  v/onderful 
love  of  theirs !  Oh,  this  unspeakable  depth  of  refinement 
and  delicacy!  Lion,  my  boy,  thank  God  you  love  me, 
and  have  not  a  man's  heart!" 

"  Jacquetta  I  "  he  said,  with  a  haughty  flush,  "  what  do 
you  mean?" 

"  Oh,  to  be  sure  !  "  she  said,  "  you  do  not  know.  If  I 
had  been  one  of  your  Lady  Marys,  or  Lady  Janes,  would 
you  have  dared  to  talk  to  me  like  this  ?  Because  you 
found  me  a  wild  Yankee  girl,  who  rode  steeple-chafes, 
played  with  dogs  instead  of  Berlin  wool  and  French 
novels,  you  thought  you  were  free  to  msult  me,  and  to 
talk  to  me  as  you  would  to  a  coal-heaver's  daughter  in 
England.  Don't  interrupt  me,  sir,  and  don't  attempt  to 
deny  it ;  for  knowing  what  we  both  know,  such  a  declar- 
ation from  you  is  nothing  more  nor  less  than  an  insult !  '* 

He  faced  round,  and  the  light  of  his  dark,  bright,  hand- 
some eyes  shone  full  upon  her  face. 

«  What  we  both  know  ?  "  he  said,  slowly.  "  May  I  ask 
what  you  mean  by  that,  Miss  Jacquetta  ?  " 

Her  face  flushed  to  the  very  temples,  and  for  a  second 
or  two,  her  eyes  fell. 

"  I  won't  tell  you  !  "  she  said,  defiantly.  "  But  I  know 
rnore  than  I  ever  learned  from  you  I " 

Her  tone,  hot  at  first,  fell  into  its  customary  saucy 


'fj     } 


A  STRANGE  MEETING. 


135 


cadence,  as  she  went  on ;  and  she  broke  mto  a  short  laugh, 
and  fell  to  caressing  Lion  again  as  she  ceased. 

"  And  this  is  my  answer  ?  "  he  said,  bitterly. 

"  Your   answer  ?    Yes,  sir  !    I  hope  it  pleases  you !  " 

"  And  this  is  Jacquetta  ?  " 

"  At  your  service,  sir.     How  do  you  like  her  ?  " 

"  Have  you  a  woman's  heart,  Jacquetta,  or  is  there  a 
stone  in  its  place  ?  " 

"  Perhaps  there  is."  And  she  laughed  wickedly.  "  If 
so,  you  ought  to  be  satisfied,  for  you  said,  away  back 
there  in  your  first  chapter,  that  I  had  given  you  a  stone." 

"  Have  you  no  mercy  ?  " 

« None  for  my  foes.  The  motto  of  a  true  De  Vere  is, 
*  War  to  the  knife!'  " 

"  Oh,  tiger-heart  I "  cried  Disbrowe.  "  Am  I  to  get  no 
reply  but  this?" 

"  Reply  to  what  ?  Begin  at  the  beginning  of  the  cate- 
chism again,  and  see  how  I  will  answer  you.  Ask  away, 
and  never  fear  but  you  will  get  your  answer." 

"  I  told  you  I  loved  you." 

"  Yes — I  have  a  faint  recollection  of  the  fact.  But  you 
don't  call  that  a  question,  I  hope  ?  " 

"  Nevertheless,  I  expected  an  answer." 

"Ah!    What  was  it  to  be?" 

"  That  you  loved  me  in  return." 

Jacquetta  laughed ;  and,  springing  up,  began  declaim- 
ing, stage-fashion: 

'*  '  When  in  that  moment,  so  it  came  to  pass, 
Titania  awaked,  and  straightway  loved  an — ass  ! ' 

You  see  I  can  quote  Shakespeare  as  well  as  you,  Cousin 
Alfred." 

He  ground  his  teeth  with  rage. 

"  Oh,  heavens  above  !     And  this  is  what  I  have  loved  ?  " 

"  Don't  get  excited,  my  good  Alfred — my  dear  Alfred  1 
Keep  cool ;  and  if  you  find  the  air  of  this  room  heating, 
would  you  mind  my  insinuating  a  walk  up  and  down  the 
maple  avenue,  out  there  ?  The  air.  this  cool  spring  day, 
will  be  a  good  thing  to  take." 

"  Heart  of  flint ! — heart  of  steel !  A  tigress  would  have 
more  pity  than  you  I  " 


•        : 


I     ::' 


136 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


"  Pity  I "  she  said,  in  a  tone  that  made  him  start.  She 
had  risen  to  lier  feet,  with  one  arm  upraised,  with  her 
cJieeks  afire,  and  her  eyes  aflame.  "  Pity  I  Yes — I  pity 
myself  from  the  very  depths  of  my  soul,  that  I  should 
ever  have  fallen  low  enough  to  listen  to  this  1 " 

She  swept  across  the  room  like  a  tragic  queen,  with 
the  ringing  tread  of  an  outraged  empress.  That  light  in 
her  eye,  that  fire  in  her  cheek — all  unusual  there — what 
did  it  forebode? 

"  What  have  I  said — what  have  I  done — that  you  should 
dare  to  utter  words  like  these?  I  am  a  wild,  wilful, 
thoughtless  girl — too  fearless  and  masculine,  it  may  be, 
for  my  sex — but  is  it  my  fault  that  God  gave  me  a  man's 
heart,  to  do,  and  dare,  and  brave  ?  I  was  frank  and  open 
with  you,  because  I  thought  you  an  honorable  man — be- 
cause I  tliought  you  would  understand  me ;  and  I  could 
have  loved  you  as  a  brother.  And  you  have  returned  it 
like  this  !  Oh,  Captain  Disbrowe !  it  is  worse  than  *  Et 
tUy  Brute  ! '  You  know,  and  I  know,  now  that  the  scales 
have  fallen  from  my  eyes,  how  you  regard  me.  Would 
you  marry  me  ? — would  you  take  me  to  England  ? — would 
you  show  me  to  your  friends — me,  the  mad,  uncivilized 
North  American  savage — as  your  honored  wife,  and  the 
future  Lady  Earnecliffe,  of  Disbrowe  Park  ?  No,  sir — you 
never  would  I  You  never  intended  to  !  And,  even  if  you 
would,  could  you,  as  a  man  of  honor,  have  done  so  ?  Ask 
your  own  heart — if  you  havo  one — and  let  it  reply." 

It  was  her  turn  to  pace  up  and  down  now,  and  she  was 
doing  it  with  a  vengeance.  He  had  leaned  his  elbow  on 
the  te.ble  and  dropped  his  forehead  on  it,  and  his  face  was 
white  and  cold  as  marble. 

"  The  name  I  bore  might  have  saved  me  from  insult ; 
but  it  has  not  done  so.  Never,  m  all  my  life,  have  I  fallen 
so  low  in  my  own  eyes  as  I  have  done  this  day  1  It  may 
be  that  I  have  deserved  it ;  but,  coming  from  you — oh, 
Cousin  Alfred !  what  have  I  done  that  you  should  have 
sharpened  this  arrow  for  my  heart  ?  " 

There  was  such  passionate  sorrow  in  her  voice,  that  it 
moved  him  as  nothing  else  had  ever  done ;  and  lifting  his 
head,  he  would  have  spoken,  but  she  motioned  him  to 
silence  with  a  wave  of  her  hand. 


\ 


A  STRANGE  MEETING. 


137 


t 


"  No — say  nothing.  It  is  too  late  !  If  I  were  the  only 
one  injured  to-day,  you  might  be  forgiven  ;  but  that  other 
— that  other,  to  whom  you  are  bound  by  vows  death  alone 
can  ever  break.  Oh,  Alfred  Disbrowe !  who  shall  for- 
give you  for  the  wrong  you  have  done  her  ?  " 

Impetuously  he  started  to  his  feet,  and  dashed  back  the 
clustering  locks  of  his  fair,  brown  hair. 

"  Jacquetta,  this  is  not  the  first  time  you  have  insin- 
uated something  which  must  be  explained — I  repeat  it, 
must  be !     What  do  you  mean  ?  " 

She  paused  before  him,  and  met  his  excited  gaze,  with 
eyes  from  which  the  fierce,  angry  light  had  died  out ;  and 
a  faint,  a  scarcely  perceptible  smile  flickere'l  around  her 
mouth. 

«  Shall  I  really  tell  you?" 

"Yes." 

"  And  you  mean  to  say  you  do  not  understand  me  ?  ** 

"  I  say  nothing.     I  want  you  to  explain." 

"  Then,"  she  said,  with  a  triumphant  flash  of  her  eye, 
"  you  shall  have  it !      What  of  Norma  /  " 

"  Jacquetta  !  " 

«  Alfred  I  "  she  said,  with  a  mocking  smile. 

"Who  told  you — how  came  you — " 

"  There,  that  is  enough !  Go — leave  me !  "  And  she 
opened  the  door  and  pointed  out. 

«  First  tell  me—" 

"I  will  not! — leave  me!  "  she  said,  with  an  imperious 
stamp  of  her  foot.  "  And  take  this  parting  piece  of  ad- 
vice with  you.  Forget  what  has  passed  this  evening,  as  I 
will  endeavor,  also,  to  do.  Forget  there  is  such  a  person 
as  the  girl,  Jacquetta,  and  think  of  me  only  as  the  boy. 
Jack  De  Vere.     There — go !  " 

She  held  out  her  arm  toward  the  door,  and  kept  it  in 
thut  position  until  he  was  gone,  angrily  and  haughtily. 
And  for  an  hour  after  that,  she  passed  to  and  fro,  up  and 
down  the  room,  without  stopping  once,  with  eyes  so  full 
of  dark,  bitter  gloom,  that  you  would  hardly  have  known 
her  for  the  gay,  laughing  fairy  of  Fontelle  Hall.  She 
went  over,  at  last,  and  leaned  wearily  against  the  mantel, 
and  looked  in  the  fire  burning  on  the  marble  hearth. 
Long  and  intently  she  gazed  in  the  glowing  coals,  as 


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138 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


tliough  some  dark  picture  had  arisen  there  before  her. 
AVas  that  vision  anything  like  that  of  Old  Grizzle 
Howlet's  of  the  inn !  Did  she  see  the  foul  gulf  and  the 
})rostrat('  form  lying  in  the  slime  at  the  bottom — lying  at 
his  feet,  too  ?  Something  dark  it  mu  jt  have  been ;  for 
she  drew  a  long,  shivering  breath,  as  she  turned  away, 
with  a  weary  step  and  a  paling  cheek. 

Tlie  sound  of  pleasant  voices  and  gay  laughter  greeted 
the  ears  of  Disbrowe  an  hour  or  so  later,  when  he  as- 
cended to  the  i)arlor  for  the  evening  meal,  and  fell  on  his 
angry  heart  like  vinegar  upon  niter.  All  the  family  were 
assembled  there.  Mr.  De  Vere  sat  in  his  arm-chair  be- 
side a  couch,  on  which  reclined  the  boy  Jacinto,  with 
whom  he  was  gayly  chatting.  Somewhat  paler  and 
thinner  than  he  had  seen  him  last  was  Jacinto,  but  as 
handsome  as  ever,  and  looking  wonderfully  interesting, 
with  his  arm  in  a  sling.  On  the  hearth-rag  beside  him 
sat  Jacquetta,  laughing  as  merrily  as  though  care  or  anger 
Avere  to  her  words  without  meaning.  Frank  was  leaning 
over  the  back  of  the  couch,  enjoying  the  fun,  and  Lady 
Augusta — the  very  image  of  a  marble  Niobe — sat  near, 
with  her  pale  face  bent  on  her  hand. 

Disbrowe  at  once  advanced  to  where  the  boy  lay,  and 
hurriedly  began  some  words  of  thanks  for  what  he  termed 
his  "  brave  conduct "  and  "  generous  heroism  "  in  risking 
his  life  for  a  stranger,  until  the  boy's  full  face  flushed 
with  embarrassment,  and  he  shrunk  away,  as  if  in  avoid- 
ance of  the  subject.  Jacquetta,  saw  his  natural  confusion, 
and  came  to  his  relief. 

"  There,  there.  Cousin  Alfred,  that  will  do ;  he'll  im- 
agine the  rest,  and  it  will  spare  your  eloquence  and  your 
pathos.  Here  comes  Tribula  with  the  ea-urn ;  so  come, 
Master  Jacinto,  and  sit  here  beside  me ;  and  if  you  are 
as  hungry  as  I  am,  you  will  do  justice  to  those  delicious 
rice  waffles  and  oyster  patties  I  see  there." 

Disbrowe  bowed  coldly,  and  took  his  place.  All  the 
evening  Jnrqnetta  was  in  the  highest  possible  spirits,  and 
the  best  possibJ.e  looks.  There  was  a  streaming  brilliancy 
in  her  eyes,  a  Lcverish  flush  on  her  cheeks,  and  her  round, 
white,  polished  forehead  looked  pure  and  marble-like  by 
the  contrast.    Her  short,  red  curls  flashed  and  shone  like 


I 


A  STRANGE  MEETING. 


139 


rings  of  flame,  and  there  was  a  buoyant  lightness  in  her 
step,  a  clear,  joyous  ring  in  her  voice,  that  angered  one 
there  present,  until,  for  the  moment,  he  felt  as  if  he  hated 
her  for  it.  Never  had  her  hands  flown  so  easily  or  so 
brilliantly  over  the  polished  keys  of  the  piano,  entrancing 
one  and  all ;  and  never  had  her  voice  rung  out  so  clear 
and  sweet  as  it  did  that  night.  Song  after  song  flowed 
from  her  lips,  as  though  she  was  inspired.  And,  wilful, 
wayward,  unaccountable  girl  that  she  was,  she  sung,  with- 
out being  asked,  all  the  old  English  songs  she  knew  Dis- 
browe  liked,  as  he  had  never  heard  them  sung  before. 
There  was  a  depth  of  pathos  and  passionate  tenderness  in 
her  voice,  as  she  sung,  *  Come  back,  to  me,  Douglas,  tender 
and  true,'  that  made  the  song  a  very  wail  of  despair — a 
cry  of  anguish  from  a  broken  heart,  so  full  of  hopeless 
love,  strong  as  death,  and  Disbrowe  sat  with  his  face 
averted,  still,  dark,  voiceless  and  motionless.  A  sob 
broke  the  silence  before  she  ceased,  from  the  Spanish 
boy,  Jacinto. 

"  What !  has  that  old  Scotch  song  brought  tears  to  your 
eyes  ?  "  said  Jacquetta,  with  a  laugh.  "  What  a  thing  it 
is  to  have  a  tender  heart.  No  doubt  the  Scotch  lassie 
forgot  her  darling  Douglas  a  week  after,  and  took  up 
with  the  first  Sandie  that  came  along  I " 

"  What  an  opinion  you  have  of  your  sex,  Flibertigibbet," 
said  Mr.  De  Vere.  "  Wait  until  you  get  a  '  Douglas '  of 
your  own,  and  see  if  you  will  not  be  as  silly  and  love-sick 
as  any  Scotch  lassie  that  ever  trii)ped  the  heather." 

"  How  do  you  know  I  have  not  got  one  now,  papa  ? " 
said  Jacquetta,  with  a  careless  laugh.  "  There  never  yet 
was  a  girl  who  reached  the  age  of  twenty  without  losing 
her  heart  a  score  ^f  times." 

*^  Well,  whoever  got  yours,  Jack,  I  wish  him  joy  of  it," 
said  Frank,  with  a  shrug. 

"  So  you  may  !  He'll  need  all  your  good  wishes,  poor 
fellow.  It's  a  sort  of  a  bottle-imp,  dangerous  alike  to 
buyer  and  owner.    Why,  what  on  earth  is  that  ?  " 

The  sound  of  an  altercation  in  the  hall  reached  their 
ears,  and  then  a  shrill,  childish,  imperious  voice  was 
heard. 


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140 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


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"  I  will  go  in — I  tell  you  I  I'll  go  in,  in  spite  of  you. 
Let  go —  will  you  ?  " 

Jacquetta  flung  open  the  door  ;  and,  to  the  amazement 
of  all,  the  little  elf,  Orrie  Howlet,  ran  in — her  black  hair 
Btreaniing  about  her — her  black  eyes  bright  with  an  angry 
light.  She  gave  a  quick  glance  round  the  room,  until  she 
beheld  Disbrowe ;  and  then,  with  a  cry  of  delight,  she 
darted  over  and  sprung  into  his  arms. 

"  I  knew  you  were  here ;  but  that  horrid  old  woman 
didn't  want  to  let  me  in.    Don't  you  let  hor  get  me." 

"  If  you  please,  'm,"  said  Tribulation,  a  hard-visaged, 
stern-looking,  elderly  woman,  "  she  would  come  in,  you 
know." 

"  There  !  never  mind.  It's  all  right.  Tribulation,"  said 
Jacquetta,  closing  the  door. 

"  Who,  in  the  name  of  all  the  kelpies,  is  this  ? "  ex- 
claimed Mr.  De  Vere,  while  Augusta  and  Jacinto  looked 
the  wonder  they  did  not  speak. 

The  child,  who  had  clasped  Disbrowe  round  the  neck, 
glanced  over  her  shoulder,  and  composedly  said : 

"  Oh,  Orrie  Howlet !  you  know  !  Oi  1  Grizzle's  little 
girl  1     You  needn't  be  scared." 

Jacquetta  and  Disbrowe  laughed,  partly  at  the  little 
one's  imperturbable  gravity,  and  partly  at  Mr.  De  Verie's 
consternation. 

"  What  in  the  world  brought  you  here  to-night,  Orrie  ?  " 
said  Disbrowe,  who  was  half -am  used  and  half -affected  by 
the  little  one's  strange  love  for  himself. 

"  Why,  to  see  you  I  I  said  I  would  come,  you  know  I 
You  won't  send  me  away — will  you  ?  "  she  said,  looking 
up  earnestly  in  his  handsome,  smiling  face. 

«  Not  if  Mr.  De  Vere  will  let  you  stay.  And  so  you 
came  all  the  way  from  the  inn  to  see  me — did  you, 
Orrie  ?  " 

"  Oh,  yes  I "  said  Orrie,  clinging  closer  to  him. 

«Does  Old  Grizzle  know?  " 

"  No ;  I  guess  she  don't,"  said  Orrie,  with  one  of  her 
short,  shrill  laughs.  "  Oh  !  won't  she  be  mad  when  she 
finds  out?" 

"  Will  she  beat  you  ?  " 

**  Be  sure  she  will  I  "  said  Orrie,  complacently.    "  Oh  1 


i  I 


A  STRANGE  MEETING. 


141 


<  'I 


\  i 


won't  she,  though  I  But  I  don't  care.  I  have  seen  yuu 
you  know,  and  she  can't  beat  that  away  I  " 

"My  dear  child,''  said  Disbrowe,  touched  by  her  look 
and  tone,  "if  I  had  known  you  cared  so  much  for  seeing 
me,  I  should  have  ridden  over  to  the  inn.  I  would  not 
have  you  get  punished  for  me." 

"  Would  you  be  sorry  ?  "  said  the  little  one,  opening  her 
eyes. 

"  Yes,  very." 

"  And  you  like  me,  too  ?  " 

"  Very  much,  my  dear  little  girl.  It  is  something  to 
be  loved  in  this  world  as  you  lo^'      ^e ! " 

There  was  such  sorrowful  bxtxerness  in  his  tone,  that 
Orrie's  black  eyes  opened  wider  than  ever.  A  small, 
white  hand  fell  softly  on  his,  and  with  it  fell  a  bright 
drop. 

"  Why,  I  declare,"  said  Orrie,  in  the  utmost  surprise, 
**  if  Miss  Jack  ain't  a-cryin'  I  " 

Jacquetta  stooped  down,  and  impulsively  touched  her 
lips  to  those  that  had  so  lately  kissed  Disbrowe,  with  the 
involuntary  cry  : 

"  Oh,  Orrie !  love  me,  too  !  Dear  little  Orrie,  love  me, 
too  I " 

Orrie  gave  her  one  of  her  impulsive  hugs  and  kisses, 
scanning  her  curiously  meanwhile,  and  then  she  asked : 

"  But  you  were  cryin',  weren't  you  ?  What  made  you 
cry." 

"  Me  !  Nonsense,  Orrie  !  I  wasn't  crying '  "  said  Jac- 
quetta, with  a  gay  laugh. 

"  Oh,  I  thought  you  were,"  said  Orrie,  apparently  re- 
lieved. "  I  hate  to  see  people  cry.  Oh,  there's  Frank  ! — 
I  must  go  and  see  him,"  said  the  elf,  springing  from  Dis- 
browe's  arms,  and  running  over  to  Frank. 

Looking  down  at  the  same  moment,  Jacquetta  caught 
the  dark,  bright,  handsome  eyes  of  Disbrowe  fixed  full 
upon  her,  and  colored  to  the  temples.  With  an  impatient 
gesture,  she  turned  away,  and  seated  herself  on  a  low 
ottoman,  at  Jacinto's  feet. 

Orrie  had  sprung  into  Frank's  arms,  and  was  clinging 
to  him  in  her  cat-like  fashion,  while  Frank's  countenance 
maintained  an  expression  of  haughty  dignity. 


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142 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


«  No,  you  needn't  kiss  me,  Miss  Howlet.  And  you  had 
better  get  down  off  my  knee,  and  go  back  to  that  big 
monster  over  there.  If  you  like  him  so  much  better  than 
me,  you  ought  to  stay  with  him." 

'^Why,  you  ain't  mad — are  you?"  said  Orrie,  giving 
him  a  shake. 

"  Yes ;  I  am  mad.  Miss  Howie t !  and  a  good  deal  jealous, 
too.  Before  he  came  bothering  along,  and  cutting  me 
out,  I  used  to  come  in  for  all  your  kissing  and  loving ; 
and  now  I  have  to  play  second  fiddle,  and  hardly  get  no- 
ticed at  that.  It's  a  shame.  Miss  Ilowlet ;  it's  a  con- 
founded shame ;  yes,  an  abominable  shame.  Miss  Ilowlet : 
and  I  wonder  how  you  can  look  me  in  the  face.  I  never 
expected  such  treatment  from  you — and  I  never  could 
have  believed  it,  so  I  couldn't !  " 

And  Frank  wij^ed  away  an  imaginary  tear,  with  his 
uncle's  handkerchief,  of  which  he  had  just  picked  his 
pocket. 

"  Well,  there ! — don't  cry ! "  said  Orrie,  giving  him  a 
penitent  squeeze.  "  I  didn't  do  it — I  mean  I  didn't  go  for 
to  do  it ;  and  I  do  like  you  ever  so  much ;  but  then,  you 
know  he's  real  nice,  and  I  have  to  like  him,  too.  Don't 
you  like  him  ?  " 

"  No ;  I  don't !  I  hate  him — an  unfeeling,  bloodthirsty 
monster ! "  said  Frank,  with  a  ferocious  howl.  "  I'll  shoot 
him.  I'll  assassinate  him.  I'll  blow  his  brains  out  with 
the  first  loaded  crowbar  I  can  find — so  I  will  I  " 

Instantly  Orrie  was  off  his  knee  ;  her  black  eyes  flash- 
ing, and  her  small  fist  clenched. 

"  He  ain't  a  monster,  you  great  big  story-teller,  you  I 
You're  a  monster  yourself !  And  if  you  shoot  him,  I'll 
shoot  you — mind  if  I  don't !  " 

"  Hallo !  W  hat's  all  this  ?  "  said  Mr.  De  Vere,  looking 
up.     "  Quarreling  already  ?    What  a  little  spitfire  it  is  !  " 

"  It  ain't  me — it's  him  !  Calling  people  names  as  he 
has  no  business  to !  I  wish  you  would  speak  to  him,  and 
make  him  stop." 

"Now,  Frank,  don't  tease  the  child.  Why  can't  you 
let  her  alone  ?  " 

"  Well,  I  am  letting  her  alone.  I  never  touched  her," 
said  Frank. 


A  STRANGE  MEETING. 


143 


f 


"  Why,  Augusta,"  said  Jacquetta,  suddenly,  "  what  do 
you  see  so  wonderful  about  the  child  ?  You  have  been 
looking  fat  her  so  intently  for  tlie  lust  five  minutes." 

"Don't  you  see  it?  "  said  Augusta,  with  a  look  of  tran- 
sient interest  in  her  heavy  eyes. 

"See  what?" 

"  The  resemblance  to — " 

"  I  see  it !  I  noticed  it  from  the  first  I  "  said  Jacinto, 
eagerly. 

"  To  whom  ?  "  said  Mr.  De  Vere,  while  a  slight  paleness 
overspread  the  face  of  Jacquetta. 

"  To  Jacquettii,"  replied  both  together. 

"  To  Jacquetta  ?  Bless  my  soul !  "  said.  Mr.  De  \'ere. 
"  Come  here,  little  girl,  until  I  see  you." 

Orrie  walked  over  with  imperturbable  composure,  and 
stood  gravely  before  him.  Mr.  De  Vere  put  his  finger 
imder  her  chin,  tipped  up  her  face,  and  looked  at  her, 
while  the  briglit,  black  eyes  met  his,  unflinchingly. 

«  Pooh  !  She  doesn't  look  like  Jack !  "  said  Mr.  De 
Vere,  contemptuously.  "  She  has  black  eyes  and  black 
hair." 

"  While  I  am  gray-eyed  and  red-haired ! "  broke  in 
Jacquetta,  with  a  laugh. 

"  And  she  is  as  dark  as  a  gypsy ;  while  Jack  is  fair. 
Pooh !  pooh !  Where  are  your  eyes,  all  of  you  ?  Do  you 
think  she  looks  like  you.  Jack  ?  " 

"  I  confess  I  cannot  see  the  resemblance,  papa." 

"  The  likeness  is  not  so  much  in  feature  as  in  ex- 
pression," said  Augusta.  "  I  did  not  notice  it  until 
Frank  angered  her,  and  then  the  look  was  exactly  the 
Game." 

"  So  it  all  was,"  said  Frank.  "  Come  to  think  of  it,  she 
did  look  like  Jack  that  time,  in  one  of  her  tantrums  !  " 

"  I  have  observed  it,  too  ! "  said  Disbrowe.  "  It  is  one 
of  those  accidental  likenesses  we  sometimes  see  in  stran- 
gers, and  that  puzzles  us  so.  I  have  known  similar  cases 
several  times." 

"  It  appears  Miss  Orrie  is  not  the  only  one  I  look  like, 
according  to  you,  Captain  Disbrowe ! "  laughed  Jacquetta, 
"  since  I  am  a  miniature  edition  of  Captain  Nick  Tempest, 
too.    Now  I  can  understand  how  I  look  like  him ;  but  I 


liM 


'!>: 


144 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


li 


confess  I  am  at  a  loss  to  trace  a  resemblance  between  my- 
self and  tills  (lark  little  fairy  here." 

"  Is  she  going  to  sUiy  here  all  night  ? "  said  Mr.  Do 
Vere. 

"  Yes  ;  I  8upi)ose  so.  Come  here,  Orrie ;  will  you  sleep 
with  me  to-niglit  V  "  said  Jacquetta. 

Orrie  nodded  assent,  and  yawned. 

"That's  one  go-to-bed,"  said  Frank.  "  She'll  be  asleep, 
presently,  if  you  don't  take  her  off.  I  rather  think  I  will 
turn  in  myself,  too,"  he  added,  getting  up. 

As  it  was  .'dready  late,  this  was  a  signal  for  all  to  dis- 
perse ;  and  Orrie  having  given  Disbrowe  a  parting  em- 
brace, and  informed  him  he  was  to  see  her  home  the  next 
day,  was  led  off  by  Jacquetta  to  her  own  room. 

Disbrowe  reached  his  pleasant  chamber ;  drew  up  a 
chair  before  the  fire ;  lit  his  cigar,  and  with  his  soul  in 
slippers,  prepared  to  take  life  easy.  Lost  in  thought, 
hours  passed  unheeded,  until  he  was  suddenly  brought 
to  his  feet  with  a  bound,  by  a  sound  familiar  enougli  now. 
It  was  tlie  strange,  far-off,  eerie  music,  rising  and  falling 
faintly  and  sweetly  on  the  midnight  air. 

Instantly  a  determination  to  get  at  the  bottom  of  this 
mystery  entered  the  head  of  Cajitain  Disbrowe.  Curiosity 
was  strong  within  him ;  but  that  was  not  the  chief  im- 
pulse that  sent  him  off.  It  was  Jacquetta's  connection 
with  the  singular  affair.  Anything  concerning  hei'  con- 
cerned him  now ;  and  determined  to  discover  what  hid- 
den skeleton,  what  Bluebeard's  chamber  Fontelle  Hall 
contained,  he  was  down-stairs,  through  the  hall,  and 
standing  alone  in  the  clear  moonlight  almost  in  an 
instant. 

That  there  was  some  other  entrance  to  this  north  wing 
he  was  convinced ;  and  find  it  he  was  determined,  if  he 
had  to  search  until  morning.  The  night  was  almost  as 
clear  as  day ;  the  moon  rose  clear  and  full  in  the  heavens, 
and  cast  fantastic  shadows  around  the  stately  pile.  He 
glanced  up,  and  saw  the  whole  house  enveloped  in  dark- 
ness, save  a  light  that  streamed  redly  from  one  window 
— from  Augusta's  window  he  knew.  She,  then,  was  up 
yet.  What  was  she  doing  ?  Could  it  really  be  sleepless 
remorse  for  some  "  unacted  crime "  that  preyed  on  her 


>w 


1 1 


A  STRANGE  MEETING. 


145 


mind,  wearing  her  to  a  skeleton,  and  making  her  the 
living  petrifaction  she  was?  She  herself  had  acknowl- 
edged that  it  was ;  but  that  very  acknowledgment,  if 
nothing  else,  would  have  made  Disbrowe  doubt  it. 

There  were  several  massive  doors  in  this  north  wing, 
and  little  difticulty  in  discovering  them  ;  but  the  thing 
was  to  opin  them.  Stift'  with  rain  and  storm,  and  long 
neglect,  th(  y  were  almost  as  solid  as  the  wall  itself,  and 
he  soon  gave  up  all  hope  of  eifecting  an  entrance  ])y  mcjins 
of  them.  He  fancied  that  down  amid  the  ivy  there  might 
be  some  aperture  in  the  ruined  walls,  large  enougli  to  per- 
mit his  entrance.  And  in  this  hope  he  was  not  disap- 
pointed. Hidden  among  the  clustering  vines  was  what 
had  once  been  an  outer  entrance  into  a  sort  of  cellar,  the 
door  of  which  was  now  completely  oroken  oft'.  Wrench- 
ing away  the  ivy,  Disbrowe  passed  in,  and  discovered  a 
flight  of  stone  steps  at  one  end,  leading  evidently  to  the 
upper  room.  He  asc'  ided,  and  found  himself  in  a  large, 
echoing,  desolate-looking  apartment,  with  oak  wainscot- 
ting,  and  niches  in  the  wall  that  had  once  held  statues,  but 
were  hung  with  cobwebs  now.  Through  the  high,  narrow, 
diamond-framed  windows,  with  their  leaden  casements, 
the  pale  moonlight  shone  brightly,  casting  a  sort  of 
ghostly  glare  around  the  dark,  desolate  room.  And  still 
the  music  rose  and  fell,  and  swelled  and  died  away  in  fit- 
ful gusts,  seemingly  near  at  hand.  Following  the  sound, 
he  was  about  to  pass  through  the  room  into  the  next, 
when  an  unexpected  sound  struck  his  ear,  and  caused  him 
to  fall  back  with  a  guilty  start,  as  if  he  had  been  caught 
in  some  unworthy  act. 

It  was  a  sound  of  voices  in  the  room  he  was  about  to 
enter — familiar  voices,  too,  speaking  in  suppressed  but 
passionate  tones.  Both  voices  were  recognized  in  an  in- 
stant as  those  of  Jacquetta  and  old  Grizzle  Howlet. 

It  was  rather  a  startling  interruption  to  his  nocturnal 
search.  Hitherto  he  had  scarcely  thought  of  it ;  but  now 
it  struck  him  as  a  base  return  of  his  uncle's  hospitality, 
this  attempting  to  pry  into  the  secrets  of  his  household. 
He  turned  hastily  to  descend  the  stairs  and  escape ;  but 
before  he  could  reach  them,  the  sound  of  their  rapidly- 
advancing  footsteps  made  him  turn  round  and  seek  some 


I 
I'l 


,1   •! 


(f; 


I'! 


*, 


•f*f  I  j 


IM- 

iitii.;    [•, 
1*1 


III' 


)  !, 


146 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


nearer  place  of  concealment.  The  doer  of  a  small  closet 
stood  ajar ;  and  darting  in  here,  he  softly  closed  it,  just 
as  Jacquetta  and  old  Grizzle  entered  the  room. 


CHAPTER   XIII. 


J 11 
II  r 


I 


\\. 


1  IV 


1 


UNMASKED. 

"  Break,  break,  break  ! 

At  the  foot  of  thy  crags,  oh  sea  ; 
But  the  tender  grace  of  a  day  that  is  dead 
Will  never  come  back  to  me." 

—Tennyson. 

One  moment  later,  and  the  Honorable  Captain  Dis- 
browe  would  have  been  discovered,  and  the  very  thought 
made  his  heart  throb  and  a  sudden  heat  flush  into  his 
face  in  the  shelter  of  his  retreat.  He  could  fancy  the 
mingled  scorn  and  angry  surprise  in  the  clear,  bright 
eyes  of  Jacquetta,  at  beholding  him  there  ;  and  he  would 
sooner  have  encountered  a  legion  of  ghosts,  singlehand- 
ed,  at  that  moment,  than  the  little  gray-eyed  girl  he 
could  lift  with  one  hand.  Even  now  he  was  hardly  safe 
— for  the  door  stood  ajar,  and  he  dared  not  touch  it  lest 
it  should  creak  ;  he  scarcely  ventured  to  breathe,  as  he 
stood  there,  waiting  for  them  to  pass  on. 

But  pass  on  they  did  not.  To  his  dismay  and  con- 
sternation, Jacquetta  came  over  and  stood  beside  the 
window,  looking  out.  The  window  was  within  a  yard  of 
his  hiding-place,  and  her  face  was  turned  directly  toward 
him — that  face,  so  changed  again,  that  he  hardly  knew 
it.  Scorn,  hatred,  passion  and  loathing  struggled  for 
mastery  there,  and  her  eyes  looked  fierce  and  glittering 
in  the  serene  moonlight.  One  small  hand  was  tightly 
clenched,  and  her  lips  were  compressed  with  a  look  of 
hard,  bitter  endurance. 

Old  Grizzle  was  speaking,  as  they  entered,  in  a  tone  of 
jibing  mockery. 

"  So  you  come  here  often,  do  you,  Jacquetta  ?  "  she  was 
saying.  "  It  nmst  be  very  pleasant  for  you  all  to  be  ser- 
enaded night  after  night  in  this  way.  Listen  !  a  sweet 
strain  that — was  it  not,  Jacquetta  ?  " 


WIS 


it 


UNMASKED. 


147 


«  May  it  deafen  you  forever,  as  you  hear  it  1 "  said  Jac- 
quetta,  fiercely. 

"  Nay,  Jacquetta — that  is  hardly  courteous.  Let  me 
see — how  long  since  you  and  I  stood  here  before,  listening 
to  this  same  weird  music,  in  this  same  goblin  room  ?  " 

Jacquetta  made  a  passionate  gesture,  as  if  to  silence 
her,  but  spoke  not. 

"  You  have  not  forgotten,  my  little  dear,  have  you  ?  " 
sneered  Grizzle. 

"  Forgotten  ! "  exclaimed  Jacquetta,  with  passionate 
solemnity.  "  Oh,  my  God  1  is  there  a  moment,  sleeping 
or  waking,  night  or  day,  that  I  can  forget  ?  Oh,  for  the 
waters  of  Lethe  to  wash  from  my  memory  the  crimson 
stain  of  that  day  in  my  lost,  darkened,  ruined  childhood. 
Oh,  my  blighted  life  I  my  seared  heart !  my  crazed 
brain !     Forgotten  !  " 

She  struck  her  clenched  hand  on  her  breast,  and  the 
dark,  passionate  solemnity  of  her  face  was  awe-striking  in 
the  cold,  pale  moon-rays. 

"  Have  I  not  striven  to  forget  ?  Have  I  not  tried  night 
and  day  ?  Have  I  not  resolutely  steeled  my  heart,  closed 
my  brain,  to  everything  that  could  recall  the  terrible 
WTong  done  me  in  my  childhood  ?  Childhood!  Why  do 
I  speak  of  it  ?  I,  who  know  not  the  meaning  of  the  word 
— who  never  was  a  child — who,  at  the  age  of  fourteen, 
when  other  children  are  thinking  of  their  dolls  and 
picture-books,  was — " 

"  What  f  "  said  Grizzle,  with  a  bitter  sneer.  "  Why 
do  you  pause  ?  " 

"  Before  I  knew  the  meaning  of  the  word  Memory," 
continued  Jacquetta,  her  face  white  even  to  the  lips,  "  I 
was  happy.  You  know  the  sort  of  child  I  was — the 
happiest,  merriest,  giddiest  fairy  that  ever  danced  in  the 
moonlight.  Oh,  Grizzle  Howlet !  oh,  woman  with  a  fiend's 
heart  I  what  had  I  done  to  you  that  this  living  death  was 
to  be  mine  ?  " 

"  Come,  come,  Jacquetta  !  this  is  going  too  far.  In- 
deed, I  think  you  ought  to  be  grateful  to  me  and  your — " 

"  Name  her  not  !  "  cried  Jacquetta,  fiercely,  "  if  you  do 
not  want  to  arouse  the  demon  that  is  within  me — that 
you  have  seen  aroused  before  now  I     Since  I  have  learned 


J 


'I', ,'  I 


iij".- 


148 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


i' 


what  it  is  to  remember,  my  whole  life  has  been  one  con- 
tinued effort  to  forget!  I  am  not  made  of  steel  or 
stone,  and  I  tell  you  to  take  care  I  for,  as  sure  as  Heaven 
hears  us  this  night,  a  day  of  retribution  will  come,  and 
I  will  be  avenged  ! " 

"  Let  it  come ! "  said  Grizzle,  scornfully.  "  It  is  not 
such  as  you.  Jack  De  Vere,  will  ever  make  me  blanch." 

"  You  know,"  said  Jacquetta,  with  passionate  vehe- 
mence, "  the  living  lie  I  am  !  You  know  the  mark  I  have 
to  wear  that  others  forged  for  me,  and  that  I  must  wear 
till  death  releases  me  I  Am  I  to  be  held  accountable  for 
the  sins  of  others — for  your  crime  and  hers^  whose  name, 
if  I  mentioned,  T  should  be  tempted  to  curse  ?  Will  God 
judge  me  for  what  others  have  done  ?  Woman,  I  tell 
you — No  I  At  the  great  day,  when  He  will  come  to 
judge  the  quick  and  dead,  I  will  stand  before  his  throne 
to  accuse  you  ! " 

"  And  your — "  _      ..- 

"  Dare  to  name  her  ! "  almost  screamed  Jacquetta, 
with  a  fierce  stamp  of  her  foot,  "  and  I  will  hunt  the 
very  dogs  of  Fontelle  on  you,  to  tear  you  limb  from 
limb  ! " 

"  Come,  my  young  madam ! "  said  Grizzle,  nowise  in- 
timidated, "  enough  of  this  ranting  !  I  came  for  my  little 
girl,  and  I  must  have  her.  You  refused  to  give  her  to  me 
out  there,  and  I  followed  you  here.  Refuse  to  give 
her  to  me  here,  and  I  will  follow  you  to  your  room,  and 
take  her  by  force  I  " 

"  Your  little  girl  ?  "  said  Jacquetta,  scornfully  ;  "  as  well 
might  a  dove  call  a  wolf  mother.  That  child  is  nothing 
to  you  I " 

"  Isn't  she  ?  "  said  Grizzle,  with  a  peculiar  laugh. 
"  Who  do  you  suppose  she  is,  then  ?  I  should  hope  she 
is  as  much  to  me  as  to  you." 

"  I  do  not  know  who  she  is  ;  if  I  did,  she  would  not 
remain  long  with  you.  But  I  will  discover,  and  free  her 
from  your  fangs." 

"  Try,  if  you  dare  !  "  said  Grizzle,  defiantly.  "  Try  it 
at  your  peril  !  It  will  be  the  darkest  day  that  will  ever 
dawn  for  you,  Jacquetta  De  Vere,  the  day  you  discover 
who  that  child  is  !  " 


UNMASKED. 


149 


yjl 


<*  For  me  ?  "  said  Jacquetta,  bitterly.  "  Does  a  day  ever 
rise  for  me  that  is  not  dark  ?  Don't  think  I  am  afraid  of 
you,  Grizzle — that  day  has  gone  by.  You  have  done  your 
worst ! " 

"  Have  I  ?  "  said  Grizzle.  "  That  remains  to  be  seen. 
I  have  not  forgiven  you  for  your  jibes  and  taunts  yet, 
nor  for  the  scornful  contempt  with  which  you  treated  my 
son  Christopher,  when  he  did  you  the  honor,  and  made 
a  fool  of  himself,  by  loving  you.  Don't  think  I  either  for- 
give or  forget  so  easily,  my  little  lady.  Did  I  not  tell  you 
once,  a  day  would  come  when  your  own  flinty  heart  would 
melt  to  quivering  flesh  ?  Have  you  ever  read,  in  a  certain 
nameless  book,  what  it  is  to  *  seethe  a  kid  in  its  moth- 
er's milk'  ?  Well,  my  fierce  little  eaglet,  such  a  fate  is  in 
reserve  for  you." 

"  What  a  pity  you  ever  left  the  stage.  Grizzle  !  "  said 
Jacquetta,  with  a  smile  of  withering  contempt.  "  You 
would  be  an  honor  to  the  profession  yet.  A  speech  like 
that  would  make  your  fortune  I " 

"  I  am  on  as  tragic  a  stage  just  now,  in  real  life,  as  ever  I 
was  in  mimic  one  I  "  said  Grizzle  ;  "  and  as  dark  a  tragedy 
is  enacting.  Do  you  think  I  am  blind,  dumb  and  besotted  ? 
Do  you  suppose  I  do  not  know  what  young  girls  are  ?  I 
say,  Jacquetta,"  she  said,  with  a  short,  harsh  laugh, 
"  what  a  pleasant  thing  it  is  to  have  a  handsome,  dashing 
young  officer  in  lonesome  old  Fontelle  !  " 

A  streak  of  dark  red  flashed  across  the  face  of  Jac- 
quetta, and  then  faded  out,  leaving  her,  even  to  the  lips, 
of  a  more  ashy  paleness  than  before. 

"  Oh,  the  vanity  of  these  puppets,  who  think  they  can 
outwit  me  ! "  said  Grizzle.  "  I,  who  can  read  human 
hearts  like  open  books.  I  tell  you.  Jack  De  Vere,  I 
thanked  God,  for  the  first  time  in  a  score  of  years,  when 
I  heard  who  this  young  officer  was,  and  where  he  was 
going.  I  left  you  to  him  from  that  moment ;  I  left  his 
hand  to  send  the  bolt  that  was  to  pierce  your  haughty 
heart !  And  that  bolt  has  been  sped  ;  and  you,  in  whom 
it  is  a  crime  to  love,  love  him — the  man  who  despises  you  I 
For — I  tell  you  again — that  proud  young  Englishman 
would  not  marry  you  to-morrow,  if  you  would  consent  and 
he  were  free — which  he  is  not.    You  know  it ;  and  now  let 


t   I 


VJ  I 

^> 

»ftt.  , 

IfT 

!  j 

i)  ■ 


ii 


!     J 


■y  'I 


350 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


you  learn  in  darkest  despair,  the  lesson  you  taught  ray 
son — what  it  is  to  love  in  vain  1 " 

"  Your  son  ? "  said  Jacquetta,  with  passionate  scorn. 
"  You  do  well  to  mention  his  name  and  love  in  the  same 
breath.  A  great,  stupid  boor — a  savage,  remorseless  cut- 
throat, a  fit  companion  for  the  pirate,  and  slaver,  and  out- 
law. Captain  Nick  Tempest.  Oh,  yes  I  wonderful  love 
was  his ! " 

"  Take  care  how  you  talk  of  Captain  Tempest,  my 
dear,"  said  Grizzle,  with  a  sneer.  "  Don't  say  anything 
against  him  until  you  know  who  he  is.  Did  you  ever 
hear  any  one  say  you  looked  like  him,  my  red-haired 
beauty  ?  " 

"  We  did  not  come  here  to  talk  of  Captain  Tempest, 
did  we  ? "  said  Jacquetta,  with  a  gesture  of  angry  impa- 
tience.    "  What  do  I  care  for  him  or  you  either  ?  " 

"  Well,  the  day  is  at  hand  when  you  will  care  for  both 
of  us.  That  is  one  consolation.  The  day  when  this  dash- 
ing soldier — this  haughtiest  of  haughty  De  Veres — will 
learn  who  it  is  he  has  stooped  to  love — what  it  is  who  bears 
his  proud  name.     His  cousin,  forsooth ! " 

And  she  laughed  mockingly. 

The  white  face  of  Jacquetta  grew  a  shade  whiter,  and 
she  drew  a  long,  hard,  quivering  breath. 

"  Ah  !  you  can  feel — ^you  can  suffer !  Good  !  Do  you 
not  fear  I  will  tell  this  scornful  lovjr  of  yours  ?  For  ho 
does  love  you,  Jacquetta,  with  all  his  heart  and  soul,  and, 
what  is  more,  believes  in  you — this  man  whom  you  are 
night  and  day  deceiving  !  " 

She  did  not  speak.  She  clasped  both  hands  over  her 
heart  as  thought  it  were  breaking. 

"  Think  how  he  would  despise  you — think  how  he 
would  scorn  you — think  how  he  would  loathe  you,  if  he 
knew  all  !  Oh,  this  glorious  revenge  of  mine !  Did  I  not 
do  well  to  wait,  Jacquetta  ?  And  my  waiting  will  soon 
be  over,  and  the  day  will  soon  be  here  now." 

Jacquetta  turned  from  the  window  with  a  hard,  mock- 
ing laugh. 

"  What  if  I  forestall  your  communication,  Grizzle  ? 
What  if  I  tell  him  myself  ?  " 

««  You  would  not  dare  to." 


UNMASKED. 


151 


see 


"  Would  I  not  ?    Wait  till  to-morrow,  and  you   will 


(( 


as  you 


)u  would  not  dare  to.    I  repeat  it  I     Be 
are,  you  have  not  courage  for  that  !  " 

"  Courage  I  You  are  the  first  who  ever  accused  me  of 
n,  lack  of  that  article.  I  have  courage  enough  to  face  a 
hungry  lion  just  now,  or  a  more  ferocious  animal  still, 
Grizzle  Howlet ! " 

"  Oh  !  I  don't  call  you  a  coward  !  You  would  not  be 
your  father's  daughter  if  you  were  that.  And  mind,  I 
am  not  speaking  of  Mr.  Robert  De  Vere  now.  But  the 
courage  that  would  make  you  face  a  raging  lion  is  not 
strong  enough  to  make  you  debase  yourself  in  the  eyes 
of  the  man  you  love  1 " 

"  You  jump  at  conclusions  too  fast.  Grizzle.  In  the 
first  place,  you  have  only  your  own  surmise  that  I  have 
been  idiot  enough  to  fall  in  love — and  with  him  ;  and, 
secondly,  it  would  not  debase  me  in  his  eyes  if  he  knew 
all  this  instant.  There  is  no  crime  or  disgrace  connected 
with — none,  at  least,  for  me.  The  sin  rests  on  your 
shoulders.     I  am  only  the  sufferer." 

"  Why,  then,  is  it  so  closely  concealed  ?  Why  is  it  so 
completely  hidden  from  him  ?  Does  not  that  very  se- 
crecy betoken  guilt  ?  Doubtless  he  has  heard  this  same 
music  that  at  present  is  charming  us,  and  wondered  at  it. 
Perhaps  he  has  even  inquired  what  it  meant." 

"He  has." 

"  And  what  did  you  tell  him  ?  " 

"  What  do  you  think  I  told  him  ?  What  was  there 
for  me  to  tell  ?    I  laughed  at  the  notion  I " 

**  And  left  the  secret  for  me.  Thank  you,  Jacquetta, 
Oh !  for  the  day  when  all  shall  be  revealed,  and  he  will 
know  tho  thing  he  has  been  loving  1 " 

"  Let  it  come  !  "  said  Jacquetta,  striking  her  clenched 
hand  on  the  window-sill.  "  WTiat  do  I  care  ?  One 
thing  is,  you  had  better  look  to  yourself  if  you  do,  lest 
Mr.  De  Vere  should  suddenly  remember  he  is  a  magis- 
trate, and  you  are  a  murderess  I  " 

"  T  don't  fear  liim,  thanks  to  his  haughty  daughter, 
Augusta.  I  have  her  head  under  my  heel,  and  can  crush 
it  when  I  please." 


*  it 
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152 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


"  You  hold  her  by  some  imaginary  power.  Augusta 
De  Vere  would  not  stoop  to  commit  a  crime  to  save  her 
life." 

"  That's  as  may  be.  My  power  over  her  is  strong 
enough  to  keep  me  from  all  fears  on  that  score  ;  and  how- 
ever imaginary  it  may  be,  it  is  a  terrible  reality  in  your 


n 


case 

"  How  do  you  know  I  will  not  turn  informer  ?  There 
are  cells  and  chains  enough  in  Green  Creek  to  bind  Grizzle 
Howlet,  and  rope  enough  to  silence  her  poisonous  tongue." 

"  I  defy  you  !  Before  the  rope  could  silence  me, 
Augusta  De  Vere  would  be  a  corpse.  Mind  !  I  make  no 
idle  threat  ;  but  her  secret  once  breathed,  and  she  would 
not  survive  an  hour." 

"  Better  a  speedy  release  from  your  tyranny  than  this 
slow  eating  away  of  life,  you  hideous  vampire  !  She  is 
fading  away  now  like  the  waning  moon  ;  and  before  an- 
other year  will  be  in  her  grave,  and  you  will  have  a  second 
murder  to  answer  for  ! " 

"  That  is  my  own  look-out.  It  is  nothing  to  you  I 
And,  in  spite  of  all  your  vaunting,  you  have  no  more 
intention  of  doing  it,  than  I  have  of  strangling  you  this 
instant  where  you  stand  ! " 

"  Better  for  me  you  would — oh,  better,  better  for  me 
you  would  !  "  cried  Jacquetta,  wringing  her  hands. 

"  I  know  that ;  but  I  am  not  idiot  enough  to  forego 
my  revenge  in  such  fashion  !  When  the  time  comes,  you 
will  fall  from  your  shaking  pedestal — be  hurled  back  to 
the  slime  whence  you  emerged — a  mark  for  the  finger  of 
scorn  to  point  at.  What  will  high-spirited,  bold-hearted 
Jack  De  Vere  do  then  ? "  said  Grizzle,  with  a  sardonic 
sneer. 

"  She  can,  like  Caesar,  cover  her  face,  and  die  with 
dignity,  if  need  be.  You  may  alienate  one — him  of  whom 
you  speak  ;  but  I  will  still  have  an  honored  home  in  Fon- 
telle  Hall." 

"  Will  you  ?  That  remains  to  be  seen  I  What  would 
you  say  if  I  should  tell  you  you  would  be  cast  out  into 
scorn  and  contumely  from  th  ir  gates,  despised  and  ab- 
horred by  all,  from  the  master  of  Fontelle  to  the  lowest 
menial  in  the  kitchen  ?  " 


UNMASKED. 


153 


"  I  should  call  it  what  it  is—    lie  ! " 

"  It  is  the  truth,  as  you  will  find  when  the  day  comes. 
Oh,  for  that  day  !  I  will  never  see  the  sun  rise  till  it 
dawns — that  blessed  day  that  will  find  you  a  beggared, 
disgraced,  homeless  outcast  1  '* 

"  Do  your  worst.     I  defy  you  I  " 

"  You  will  change  your  tune  before  long.  Oh  !  you 
don't  know  Grizzle  Howlet  yet,  I  see,  or  the  doom  that 
is  gathering  over  your  head.     Wait  I " 

"  I  intend  to,  and  will  brave  you  to  your  face  when  it 
comes  I "  said  Jacquetta,  with  a  short,  mocking  laugh. 

"  Yes,  you  may  laugh  now  ;  but,  in  the  end,  let  those 
laugh  who  win.  You  thmk  now  you  could  bear  the 
disgrace  ;  and  perhaps,  if  Mr.  De  Vere  and  Augusta 
alone  were  concerned,  you  might  :  but  this  fine  young 
stranger  (ah,  mention  /«'m,  and  you  wince),  how  will 
you  bear  his  scorn,  and  contempt,  and  hatred  ? — no,  not 
hatred  ;  for  he  will  loathe  you  too  much  to  stoop  to  hate  1  '* 

"  Let  him  !     He  is  nothing  to  me  ! " 

"  Very  true — he  is  another's  ;  yet  you  have  given  him 
your  whole  heart.    And  what  has  he  given  you  in  return  ?  " 

"  His  love  ! "  said  Jacquetta,  with  a  bright,  fierce  flash 
of  her  eyes. 

"  Ah !  he  has  told  you  so,  and  you  believe  him.  Per- 
haps he  believes  it  himself  now  ;  •  and  if  so,  it  is  all  the 
better,  for  it  will  make  him  loathe  you  all  the  more  by- 
and-by." 

*•  Speak  no  more  of  him.  I  will  not  listen,"  said  Jac- 
quetta, clasping  both  hands,  with  the  same  involuntary 
motion,  over  her  heart. 

"  Oblige  me  by  doing  so  a  moment  longer.  What  will 
Mr.  De  Vere  say  when  he  finds  his  pretty  daughter,  Jac- 
quetta, has  listened  to  this  illicit  love,  and  returned  it ;  she, 
the—" 

"  Peace  I  "  shrieked  Jacquetta,  with  a  frenzied  stamp  of 
her  foot.     "  Do  you  want  to  drive  me  mad  ?  " 

"  By  no  means  I  I  should  be  very  sorry  for  such  a  cata- 
strophe, as  it  would  defeat  all  my  plans.  And  now,  as 
you  wish  it,  to  change  the  subject.  What  do  you  think 
of  this  handsome  Spanish  boy,  brought  over  by  Captain 
Nick  Tempest?" 


t ' 


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t^il 


»54 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


«  What  I  please." 

"  And  what  do  you  please  to  think,  my  dear  young 
lady  ?  Do  be  a  little  more  communicative  I  Extremely 
handsome — is  he  not, /or  a  hoyf^"* 

"  So  you  say."  / 

"  But  I  want  your  opinion." 

"  You  will  want  it,  then." 

"  There  is  no  danger  of  your  falling  in  love  with  him, 
I  trust,"  sneered  (irizzle. 

"  I  shall,  if  I  choose." 

"  Not  much  danger  of  your  choosing  to  do  so,  I  fancy," 
said  Grizzle,  with  a  contemptuous  laugh.  "  What  does 
our  handsome  English  cousin  think  of  him  ?  " 

«  Ask  him." 

"  Perhaps  I  shall.  I  want  to  consult  him  also  about 
Norma.  Ilave  you  ever  heard  the  name  before,  Jac- 
quetta?" 

"  What  would  you  give  to  know  ?  " 

"  And  be  nothing  the  wiser,"  added  Grizzle,  with 
another  low,  sardonic  laugh.  "  Short  and  sweet  1  I 
thought,  perhaps.  Captain  Disbrowe  might  have  men- 
tioned the  name  in  his  declaration  of  love.  It  is  rather 
an  unusual  one." 

«Isit?" 

"  Ask  Master  Jacinto  what  he  thinks  of  it." 

"  I  shall  leave  that  for  you  to  do  along  with  the  rest." 

"Very  well.  I  am  equal  to  a  Spanish  boy,  or  any 
other  emergency.  Singular,  is  it  not,  that  he  should  risk 
his  life  for  a  complete  stranger  he  never  saw  before  ?  " 

"  You  say  so." 

"  And  more  singular  still,  that  the  Honorable  Alfred 
Disbrowe  should  be  stone-blind.  What  says  the  old  song, 
Jacquetta  ?  '  What  will  not  woman  when  she  loves  ! ' 
Take  care  Captain  Disbrowe  is  not  jealous." 

"  Did  you  follow  me  here  to  moralize  on  love  ?  How 
jnuch  longer  am  I  to  be  kept  here  listening  to  this  trash  ? 
Are  you  near  done  ?  " 

"  I  am  done  for  the  present.  I  will  go  when  you  give 
me  the  child." 

**  Can  you  not  wait  until  to-morrow  ?    Is  she  to  be  taken 


^ 


UNMASKED. 


155 


from  her  bed  at  this  hour  of  the  night  to  start  on  such  a 
cold,  weary  journey  ?  " 

"  Yes.  It  will  teach  her  a  lesson,  the  young  imp.  I 
will  learn  her  what  it  is  to  run  away  from  home  when 
I  get  hold  of  her  !  " 

"  Dare  to  touch  her — lay  but  one  finger  roughly  on  her, 
and,  as  Heaven  hears  me,  I  will  go  to  (ireen  Creek  that 
very  hour  and  tell  the  world  what  you  arc,  even  if  I 
should  swing  beside  you  I " 

There  was  something  so  appallingly  fierce  in  the  young 
girl's  tone,  in  her  bright,  glittering  eyes,  and  colorless 
face,  that  it  cowed  for  the  first  time  tLe  she-fiend  before 
her ;  and  muttering  an  inaudible  something,  she  was  silent. 

"  You  know  what  I  came  here  for — you  know  the  er- 
rand I  have  so  often  to  perform — that  I  must  perform  be- 
fore I  can  return  with  you.  Will  you  stay  here,  or  do 
you  choose  to  accompany  me  and   look  on  your  work  ?  " 

"  No,"  said  the  woman,  in  a  hoarse  whisper.  "  Not  in 
there — I  cannot  go  !  I  will  stay  here  till  you  come 
back  ;  but  be  quick." 

With  a  look  of  scornful  contempt,  Jacquetta  turned 
and  left  the  room — passing  in  the  direction  whence  the 
weird  music  still  came.  An  instant  after  it  ceased — not 
a  sound  was  to  be  heard  ;  the  silence  of  the  grave  reigned 
through  the  lonely  room. 

Old  Grizzle  came  over  to- the  window  where  Jacquetta 
h  id  stood  and  looked  out,  glancing  now  and  then  in  some- 
thing like  fear  in  the  direction  the  other  had  gone,  and 
then  shrinking  closer  toward  the  light.  Before  ten 
minutes  had  elapsed,  Jacquettci's  light,  quick,  footstep 
was  heard,  and  her  voice  broke  the  deep  stillness,  saying 
coldly  : 

"  I  am  ready — come  now." 

Grizzle  followed  her  across  the  room.  There  was  the 
sound  of  a  key  turning  in  a  rusty  lock,  then  the  door  was 
closed  and  locked  again,  and  the  next  instant  Captain 
Alfred  Disbrowe  was  alone  in  the  desolate  room. 


Hi 
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156 


THE  DARK  SECRKT. 


CHAPTEU   XIV. 

PRIDE    AND    PASSION. 

"  I  know  not — I  ask  not  "^ 

If  guilt's  in  thy  heart  ; 
I  but  know  that  I  love  thee, 
Whatever  thou  art." 

—Moore. 

What  Captain  Disbrowe's  feelings  \^'ere  while  listening 
to  the  singular  conversation  hi  his  hiding-place,  may  be, 
to  use  the  handy  old  phrase,  "  easier  imagined  than  de- 
scribed." 

As  he  stepped  out  from  his  retreat,  his  face  might  have 
rivaled  Jacquetta's  own  in  its  extreme  pallor.  And  cer- 
tainly he  had  heard  enough  to  make  him  even  as  cold 
and  marble- like  as  he  was  now. 

To  love  Jack  De  Vere  was  bad  enough,  to  love  her 
while  engaged  to  another  was  worse  ;  to  love  her  know- 
ing her  enveloped  in  some  dark  mystery  of  guilt  or  dis- 
grace, worst  of  all. 

And  yet,  strange  perversity  of  passion,  never  had  he 
loved  her  as  he  did  at  that  moment.  Standing  there 
alone,  his  arms  folded  over  his  chest,  motionless  as  a 
statue,  her  image  rose  before  him  "  a  «iancing  shape,  an 
image  gay,"  radiant  with  youth  and  health,  and  happiness, 
and  beauty  ;  bewildering,  entrancing,  intoxicating.  There 
are  some  who  never  appear  in  full  beauty  until  some 
strong  passion  of  lov3,  or  hatred  or  anger  rouses  them  to 
new  life,  and  Jacquetta  was  one  of  them.  He  had  seen 
her  in  a  new  phase  to-night,  as  she  stood  there  with  blaz- 
ing eyes  and  scornful  lips,  her  small,  delicate  figure  drawn 
un  to  its  full  height,  a  little  living  flame  of  fire,  and  never 
had  she  looked  so  really  beautiful.  He  had  seen  her  often, 
ill  her  gay,  sparkling  moods  and  in  her  grave  and  angry 
ones,  too  ;  but  this — this  was  something  new. 

So,  nearly  an  hour  he  stood  there  so  lost  m  thought, 
that  he  heeded  not  the  flight  of  time.  Jacquetta  I  Jac- 
quetta !  Jacquetta  I  was  the  cry  of  his  heart  still  ;  and 
in  that  moment  he  felt  as  if  he  could  have  taken  her  ia 


PRIDE  AND  PASSION. 


157 


his  arms  and  shielded  her  aguinst  all  the  world.  Oiih 
truth  was  thrilling  through  his  whole  being  in  fierce 
shocks  of  joy.  He  loved  Jacquetta — Jacquettii  loved 
him ! 

From  his  trance — a  trance  every  unfortunate  lover  has 
fallen  into  more  than  once — he  awoke,  at  last,  to  the  hard 
reality  of  being  very  cold  ;  and  an  unromantic  vision  of 
fevers,  and  agues,  and  rheumatic  chills  rising  suddenly 
and  unpleasantly  before  him,  he  turned  to  leave  the  un- 
comfortable old  room.  He  paused  a  second  to  contem- 
plate, with  intense  feelings  of  interest  and  curiosity,  the 
doors,  one  at  either  end  of  the  room — that  toward 
the  left  being  the  one  into  which  Jacquetta  had  i)assed  to 
still  the  weird  music  ;  the  other  to  the  right  being  that 
which  they  had  both  entered  last,  and  which  he  conjec- 
tured led  to  che  inhabited  parts  of  the  nouse.  Even  had 
he  desired  to  enter,  he  knew  he  could  not,  for  Jacquetta  had 
securely  locked  both  ;  so,  giving  them  a  parting  glance, 
he  ran  down  the  stone  stairs  and  passed  out  of  the  aperture 
by  which  he  had  entered. 

The  hall-door  remained  as  he  had  left  it — proof  posi- 
tive that  neither  Jacquetta  nor  her  companion  had  entered 
the  house  by  its  roins.  He  softly  locked  it  after  him 
and  then  ascending  the  stairs,  sought  his  room — not  to 
sleep,  but  to  pace  up  and  down  until  morning  should 
dawn. 

Another  sensation  of  wonder  besides  that  relating  to 
Jacquetta  filled  his  mind.  He  had  heard  them  mention 
Norma — what  knew  they  of  her  ?  That  both  knew  she 
had  been  his  liege-lady  while  in  England  was  evident ;  and 
that  he  felt  convinced  was  the  reason  why  Jacquetta  had 
so  scornfully  and  indignantly  rejected  him.  What  if  he 
should  give  up  this  high-born  Jia?icee  of  his  ? — what  if  he 
should  offer  to  surrender  wealth  and  rank,  to  brave  the 
haughty  anger  of  his  relatives,  and  the  scoffs  and  sneers 
of  his  aristocratic  friends,  all  for  her  and  love  ?  Surely 
such  a  proof  of  devotion  must  awaken  some  return  in  her 
flinty  breast;  surely,  then,  he  could  conquer  the  con- 
queress,  make  the  fierce  young  lioness  crouch,  cowed  and 
tame  at  his  feet.  But  had  he  courage  for  such  a  sacrifice 
— was  she  worth  it?    Some  day,  and  most  probably  soon. 


m 


t  1 


'■  I- 


■I 


158 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


he  would  be  Earl  of  Eaniecliffe  and  Baron  of  Guilford ; 
and  did  he  not  owe  something  to  the  world  and  his  high 
position  ?  And  more,  did  he  not  owe  a  great  deal  to  this 
lady  betrothed  of  his  at  home  ?  True,  he  remembered 
the  engagement  had  been  none  of  his  making,  but  that  of 
Earneclitt'e's  and  the  lady's  father,  who  wished  to  see  the 
family  united ;  the  former,  because  the  lady  was  unex- 
ceptionable in  beauty  and  family,  and  would  have  an  im- 
mense dowry  ;  and  the  latter,  because  he  wished  his 
daughter,  who,  with  all  her  wealth,  was  simply  Miss 
Macdonald,  to  have  a  title  and  be  a  countess.  But  he 
himself  had  given  a  tacit  consent.  He  had  acquiesced 
nonchalantly  enough  when  his  brother  informed  him  of 
it,  and  proceeded  to  woo  the  young  lady,  then  a  romantic 
school-girl,  in  true  orthodox,  gentlemanly  fashion.  He 
was,  as  he  said  himself,  a  poor  devil  of  a  younger  brother, 
with  expensive  tastes  and  habits,  and  slightly  extrava- 
gant, if  the  truth  must  be  told ;  and  the  income  he  de- 
rived from  the  earl  was  far  inadequate  to  his  expenses. 
True,  he  would  be  an  earl  himself  some  day,  and  one  of 
the  wealthiest  peers  of  the  realm ;  but  as  he  could  not 
live  on  that  hope,  and  as  Earnecliffe,  though  suffering 
from  a  disease  liable  to  carry  him  off  at  any  moment, 
might  still  see  fit  to  live  a  dozen  years,  he  must  have 
something  to  live  on  in  the  meantime.  And  Norma 
Macdonald's  fortune  was  just  the  thing — her  ten  thousand 
a  year  would  supply  him  with  spending- money  comfort- 
ably, pay  his  debts,  keep  him  in  pale  ale  and  kid  gloves, 
buy  him  a  yacht  at  Cowes,  let  him  own  a  horse  at  the 
Derby,  and  keep  a  dashing  four-in-hand  in  town.  It  was 
just  the  thing  for  him — couldn't  do  better  if  he  was  to 
try ;  which  he  was  a  great  deal  too  indolent  to  do.  So  he 
closed  with  the  offer  and  the  lady  at  once. 

It  was  rather  a  bore  to  be  obliged  to  mjike  love  to  her, 
to  be  sure — to  fan  her,  and  attend  her  to  the  opera  and 
turn  over  her  music  when  she  played  ;  but  these  were  ne- 
cessary evils  that  every  man  had  to  suffer  through,  some 
time  or  other  in  his  life,  and  he  supposed  he  might  as 
well  make  up  his  mind  to  be  resigned,  and  begin  at  once. 
So  he  yawned,  made  himself  fascinating,  and  set  off  to 
captivate  Miss  Norma  Macdonald.    And  he  succeeded  to 


PRIDE  AND  PASSION. 


159 


perfection.  MisH  Nornui  fell  violently  in  love  with  him, 
then  and  there — as  he  came  pretty  near  doing  the  same 
with  her,  too.  Surpassingly  lH«autiful  she  was — the  most 
suiKjrb  specimen  of  the  superb  sex  lie  had  ever  seen,  even 
then,  although  she  was  not  more  than  fifti»en  years  of  age. 
Her  beauty  was  of  a  rare  and  singular  sort,  with  large, 
dark,  lustrous  eyes  and  golden  hair,  a  snowy  complexion, 
and  the  most  perfect  of  hands  and  feet.  Romantic  an(l 
impulsive  she  was  in  the  extreme,  had  read  no  end  of 
novels,  and  was  quite  ready  to  love  the  tirst  tolerably 
handsome  young  man  who  came  in  her  way,  from  a  dul.e 
to  Jeames  the  footman.  And  Captain  Dislnowe,  tlio 
dashing,  handsome,  gallant  young  guardsman,  was  just 
the  one  to  captivate  a  susceptible  heart  of  fift(^en.  She 
had  heard  stories  of  his  iirhicely  extravagance,  of  his  wihl 
deeds,  and  the  thousand  and  one  scrapes  he  was  con- 
stantly getting  into;  l)ut  few  young  ladies  are  disposed 
to  like  a  man  the  less  for  such  a  reputation.  Norma 
Macdonald  certainly  was  not.  And  never  was  a  scape- 
grace better  loved  than  was  the  handsome  young  ofticer 
by  her.  Ilis  feelings  toward  her  were  an  odd  mixture. 
He  was  proud  of  her,  that  was  certain:  he  knew  she 
would  one  day  be  a  star  of  the  fi/st  magnitude  in  the 
world  of  beauty  and  fashion ;  that  he  would  l)e  envied  by 
every  man  of  his  acquaintance  Avhen  she  would  enter 
society  ;  that  she  would  make  a  sensation  when  presented 
at  court;  and  would  be  an  unrivaled  Lady  Earneclitt'e, 
and  do  the  honors  of  Disbrowe  Park  entrancingly.  And 
was  not  that  enough  ?  He  liked  her  well  enough ;  he 
must  marry  somebody,  and  she  was  just  the  thing,  in 
every  respect.  She  loved  him,  too,  which  was  another 
consideration,  although  he  knew  very  well  she  would 
have  loved  Tom  Vane  or  Lord  Austrey,  his  fast  friends, 
just  the  same,  if  they  had  entered  the  list  first.  As  it 
was,  she  loved  him  with  her  whole  heart,  and  him  only ; 
and  being  a  little  grateful,  and  a  good  deal  proud,  he  felt, 
on  the  whole,  perfectly  satisfied  with  the  arrangement. 
He  did  not  love  her,  to  be  sure  ;  but  though  he  had  flirted 
from  the  age  of  eighteen,  when  he  had  taken  moonlight 
rambles  through  old  Fontelle  with  the  daughter  of  his 
father's  steward,  he  had  never  entertained  a  grande passion 


^i 


% '  < 


h  V 


i6o 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


for  anybody,  and  did  not  believe  he  was  capable  of  it — did 
not  desire  any  such  thing,  in  fact ;  it  would  be  such  a  bore 
to  be  violently  in  love !     And  so  things  were  in  this  satis- 
factory state,  and  the  course  of  true  love  was  running  as 
smooth  as  a  mill-dam,  when  the  young  guardsman  got  a 
commission  in  a  regiment  ordered  to   Ireland,  and  led  a 
gay  life  of  it,  for  two  rtr  three   years,  alternately  in  that 
"beautiful   city   called   Cork,"    and    the    capital   of  the 
Emerald  Isle,  while  Miss  Norma  was  inspiring  her  mind 
and  kissing  the  miniature  of  her  dashing  lover  within  the 
consecrated  walls  of  a  fashionaMe  boarding-school.     Then 
he   returned  to  England,   to  a  v^oid  the   consequences  of 
some  tremendous  scrape  he  had  got  into  in  Dublin,  saw 
his  chere  amie,  \/ho  had  grown    a  thousand    times  more 
beautiful  than  ever,  and  twice  as  much  in  love,  from  con- 
stantly  thinking  of  her   absent   truant.     Miss   Korma's 
papa,  and   the  Honorable   Alfred's   brother   wished   the 
marriage   to  take   place  on   the  young  lady's  nineteenth 
birthday  ;  and  the  young  lady  and  gentleman  being  will- 
ing  enough,  settlements  were  made,  and  everything  got 
ready  for  the  important  occasion.     And  meantime,  by  way 
of  a   change.  Captain  Disbrowe    took   it  into   his  erratic 
head   that  a  good  way   to  kill    time  would  be  to  visit 
America,  and  hunt  up  his  mother's   relatives,  the  De  Veres 
— which  he  did  to  his  cost,  as  the  reader  already  knows. 
All  these  things  were  passing  in  review  through  his 
mind,  now.     He  had  come,  he  had  seen,  and  intended  to 
conquer,  and  had  been  conquered  instead,  and  by  a  little, 
gray-ej^ed,  red-haired  girl,  ten  degrees  less  beautiful  than 
Norma  Macdonald,  who  loved  him,  and  whom  he  did  not 
love — though  that  alone  might  account  for  it.     He  had 
been  so  long  accustomed  to   easy  conquests,  that    this 
defiant,  free-and-easy  Jersey  witch  provoked,  piqued  and 
interested   him.     Between  being  interested  in  a  young 
lady  and  falling  in  love  with  her,  there  is  but  a  step ;  and 
before  the  Honorable  Alfred  knew  he  had  begun,  he  was 
already  past  praying  for.     That  he  could  Gnt^viom  a  grande 
passion  he  found  to  his  cost — that  life  without  Jack  De 
Vere  would  be  a  miserable  affair,  not  worth  having,  he 
found,  too.     But  whether  she  took  the  same  view  of  the 
case  with  regard  to  him,  he  was  at  a  loss  to  know.    He 


PRIDE  AND  PASSION. 


i6i 


1 
ti    1 


would  have  given  worlds  to  know  how  she  discovered  the 
secret  of  his  engagement  to  Norma  ;  for  he  was  positive 
Earnecliffe  had  never  told  them,  and  he  was  equally  posi- 
tive that  both  she  and  old  Grizzle  Howlet  knew  of  it. 
There  was  no  accounting  for  it,  except  by  the  fact  that  one 
or  both  was  a  witch  ;  and  looking  up  at  the  smiling,  mock- 
ing face  on  the  wall,  he  felt  half  inclined  to  believe  that 
Jacquetta  was  one. 

What  between  pacing  up  and  down  his  room  for  three 
mortal  hours,  and  thinking  with  all  liis  might.  Captain 
Disbrowe  succeeded  in  working  himself  up  to  a  pretty 
high  state  of  excitement  at  last.  lie  vv^as  between  the 
horns  of  a  dilemma  ;  he  could  not  tell  what  to  do.  One 
moment,  he  resolved  to  cast  wealth,  and  rank,  and  the 
world's  opinion  to  the  winds,  and  give  up  all  for  Jac(iuetta. 
The  next,  the  terrible  thought  of  "  what  will  ]\Irs.  Grundy 
say  "  staggered  him  ;  for  though,  in  all  probability.  Cap- 
tain Disbrowe  had  never  heard  of  the  lady,  he  dreaded 
her  quite  as  much  as  you  do,  my  dearest  reader.  How 
could  he  brave  the  anger  of  i.ord  Earnecliffe,  and  the 
haughty  amaze  and  disdain  of  his  wife.  Lady  Margaret,  one 
of  the  proudest  women  he  had  ever  known  ?  If  she  were 
really  a  De  Yere,  which  her  looks  and  the  strange  conver- 
sation he  had  overheard  seemed  to  contradict,  she  was  his 
equal,  at  least,  in  birth  ;  but  how  dare  he — one  of  those 
mistakes  of  Nature,  a  younger  brother — poor  as  a  church- 
mouse,  think  for  a  moment  of  indulging  in  the  luxury  of 
marrying  a  penniless  girl,  simply  because  he  was  absurd 
enough  to  love  her  ?  Why,  all  London  would  laugh  at  him ; 
and  there  is  nothing  a  true-born  Briton  cannot  stand, 
except  being  laughed  at.  And  Norma — how  was  he  to  face 
her,  when  there  was  even  a  remote  possibility  of  her  dy- 
ing of  a  broken  heart,  and  a  still  greater  possibility  of  her 
father,  a  regular  Scotch  fire-eater,  following  him  over  the 
world,  from  the  Pyramids  of  Egypt  to  the  wilds  of  New 
Jersey,  to  blow  his  brains  out  ?  And  at  that  moment  he 
half- wished  some  kind  friend — Captain  Tempest,  for  in- 
stance— would  perform  that  act  of  mercy,  if  only  to  keep 
him  from  going  distracted  in  his  dilemma !  There  was 
another  annoying  little  thought  that  would  persist  in  in- 
truding itself,  too ;  if  Jacquetta  was  not  a  De  Vere,  who 


^<, 


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i 

t 


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k ;  I' 
,1 , 


i'l'jf   i! 


1 62 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


M 


was  she  ?  what  was  she  ?  Like  all  the  rest,  it  was  a 
question  easier  asked  than  answered,  and  like  the  rest,  in- 
tensely disagreeable ;  but  in  the  face  of  everything,  one 
conviction  was  ever  uppermost — that  he  loved  Jacquetta 
as  he  never  had  loved  before — never  could  love  again. 

"  If  I  were  Ned  Brown,  of  the  Guards,  with  his  eight 
thousand  a  year,  I  would  marry  her  to-morrow,"  was  his 
concluding  exclamation.  "  What  a  deuce  of  a  thing  it  is 
for  a  man  to  be  tied  up  hand  and  foot,  as  I  am,  and  not 
able  to  budge  an  inch  to  the  right  or  left !  Confound  all 
aristocratic  high  and  mighty  relations,  I  say !  and  may 
the  demon  fly  away  with  all  match-making  friends,  for- 
evermore  1  Amen.  Oh,  Jacquetta !  I  wish  to  Heaven  I 
had  tied  a  mill-stone  to  my  neck  and  jumped  into  the 
Serpentine,  the  day  I  first  took  a  notion  to  come  to  Amer- 
ica. And  I  wish  Miss  Norma  Macdonald  and  the  noble 
earl  of  Earnecliffe  were  in — Coventry !  I  do !  " 

With  this  charitable  apostrophe,  Captain  Disbrowe, 
becoming  suddenly  aware  that  the  breakfast-bell  had 
rung,  went  down-stairs,  and  encountered  the  object  of  all 
his  thoughts  and  perplexity  crossing  the  hall,  laughing 
merrily  with  Jacinto,  and  looking  bright,  saucy  and 
piquant  as  ever.  Gayly  saluting  him,  she  fixed  her  eyes 
on  his  face,  and  exclaimed  : 

"  Why,  cousin  Alf,  what's  the  matter  ?  You  look  as  if 
you  had  seen  a  ghost  last  night,  or  had  an  attack  of  the 
nightmare  !  Just  look  at  him,  Jacinto  I  What  has  hap- 
pened, my  dear  cousin?" 

"  Nothing  much.     I  have  had  bad  dreams." 

"  And  bad  dreams  have  been  powerful  enough  to  give 
that  look  to  the  face  of  the  most  high,  puissant,  and 
illustrious  Captain  Disbrowe  ?  Whew  ?  What  were  they 
about,  cousin  Alfred  ?  I  am  a  regular  female  edition  of 
Joseph  for  interpreting  dreams." 

"  Well,  they  were  of — you." 

« Indeed  !  Dear  me,  how  flattered  I  feel  I  And  what 
did  you  dream  of  me,  coz  ?  " 

"  That  you  and  somebody  else  were  plotting  to  be  the 
death  of  me." 

«  Possible  ?  I  shouldn't  wonder  if  it  came  true,  too  I 
Who  was  the  other?" 


PRIDE  AND  PASSION. 


163 


He  fixed  his  eyes  keenly  on  her  face. 

"  Old  Grizzle  Howlet ! " 

She  started  with  a  shock,  and  looked  at  him.  He  had 
expected  she  would,  and  met  her  gaze  carelessly. 

"Indeed I  indeed!^''  she  said,  sharply.  "Perhaps  you 
also  dreamed  where  this  meeting  took  place  ?  " 

"  Certainly.  When  I  do  dream,  I  always  pay  attention 
to  it,  and  omit  no  detail.  It  was  somewhere  in  an  old, 
deserted  room,  I  believe." 

"  Ah  I "  she  said,  with  a  paling  cheek,  and  a  rising  fire 
in  her  eye.  "  Perhaps  you  can  also  tell  me  what  we 
said?" 

There  was  something  so  sharp,  suspicious,  and  angry, 
in  her  tone,  that  Jacinto  looked  at  her  in  extreme  sur- 
prise. 

"  Why,  Jacquetta  I  "  he  exclaimed.  v 

Disbrowe's  face  flushed,  and  his  eye  flashed  with  a 
jealous  fire.  To  hear  this  handsome  boy  call  her  Jac- 
quetta so  fcimiliarly,  to  watch  her  as  she  leaned  on  his 
arm,  as  she  had  never  consented  to  do  on  his,  was  galling 
in  the  extreme. 

"  What  did  we  say  ?  "  repeated  Jacquetta,  imperiously. 

"  Really,  Miss  Jacquetta,"  he  said,  half- coldly,  "  one 
would  think  I  was  describing  a  reality  instead  of  a  dream. 
How  can  I  tell  what  you  said  ?  Who  can  remember  what 
is  said  in  a  dream  ?" 

"  Such  a  remarkable  dream !  you  surely  can,"  she  said — 
two  red  spots,  that  only  anger  or  deep  excitement  could 
ever  call  there,  burning  in  either  cheek. 

"  No ;  I  cannot.  And  I  do  not  see  anything  remark- 
able in  your  meeting  the  old  lady,"  he  said,  in  an  indif- 
ferent tone. 

"  Nor  in  our  plotting  to  murder  you — stranger  things 
have  happened.  Are  you  sure  you  locked  your  chamber- 
door  last  night  on  retiring.  Captain  Disbrowe  ?  " 

"  A  singular  question ;  but,  yes,  I  rather  think  I  did." 

"  And  you  are  not  given  to  walking  in  your  sleep,  occa- 
sionally ?  " 

"In  my  sleep?  No,  never."  And  he  looked  at  her 
with  a  peculiar  smile. 

Jacinto  laughed. 


^i^ 


i        ^1 


i«sJ'»';| 


'  1 


i-\ 


\V 


ife  '< 


164 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


"  Really,  Jacquetta,  one  would  think  you  were  cross- 
examining  him  as  if  he  were  on  trial  for  shoplifting.  I 
shall  be  careful  how  I  tell  you  what  I  dream." 

Jacquetta,  with  her  eyes  fixed  on  Disbrowe's  face,  and 
a  strange  glitter  in  their  lustrous  depths,  drew  a  long, 
hard  breath,  and  said  nothing.  His  eyes  were  fixed 
curiously  on  Jacinto — that  laugh  !  surely  it  was  not  the 
first  time  he  had  heard  it.  Jacinto  noticed  his  look,  and 
colored  slightly  through  his  brown  skin. 

"Well,"  he  said,  half -annoyed,  half-laughing,  "is  it  my 
turn  next  ?  " 

"  Do  you  know,"  said  Disbrowe,  "  I  have  the  strangest 
idea  that  I  have  seen  you  somewhere  before.  But  for 
your  foreign  accent,  and  your  dark  hair  and  complexioUj 
I  could  swear  you  were — " 

"  Who  ?  "  said  Jacinto,  as  he  paused. 

"  You  will  laugh,  but  a  lady  I  knew  in  England.  You 
reminded  me  of  her  from  the  first,  in  some  odd,  unaccount- 
able way,  and  your  laugh — if  I  had  not  looked  at  you  that 
time  I  could  swear  it  was — " 

"  Norma  I  "  laughed  Jacquetta. 

"  By  Jove  !  you've  hit  it !  But  what  do  you  know  of 
Norma?"  « 

"I  had  a  dream,"  said  Jacquetta,  with  a  malicious 
twinkle  of  her  eye.  "  I  dreamed  Captain  Disbrowe  was  to 
be  married  to  a  certain  Miss  Norma  Macdonald  when  she 
would  attain  her  nineteenth  birthday,  and  that  he  only 
came  to  America  to  kill  time  during  the  tedious  interval. 
Ahem  I  You  see  others  can  dream  besides  you,  my  good 
cousin." 

Disbrowe  stood  fairly  dumb  with  amazement,  and  his 
color  came  and  went.  Jacquetta's  wicked  eyes  sparkled 
with  triumph. 

"I  say  I"  called  Frank,  at  this  interesting  juncture, 
thrusting  out  his  head,  through  the  parlor  door,  "  do  you 
mean  to  come  to  breakfast  to-day,  or  are  we  all  to  starve 
in  here,  while  you  three  talk  scandal  out  there  ?  " 

"  We  weren't  talking  scandal,  Frank,  dear,"  said  Jac- 
quetta. "  Captain  Disbrowe  and  I  were  merely  relating 
two  singular  dreams  we  had  last  night." 

"Oh I   you  were — were  you?"  growled  Frank.    "A 


PRIDE  AND  PASSION. 


165 


u 


pretty  way  that  to  spend  the  morning,  and  keep  respect- 
able Christians  that  don't  believe  in  such  heathenish  things 
as  dreams  fasting  in  here,  till  they  feel  ravenous  enough 
to  eat  a  Quaker's  grandmother.  I'm  surprised  at  you, 
Captain  Disbrowe ! "  said  Frank,  thrusting  his  hands  in 
his  pockets,  and  sper^king  in  a  tone  of  grave  rebuke,  "a 
young  person  that's  had  your  broughten  up,  to  believe  in 
such  superstition,  which  corrupts  the  mind,  debases  the 
constitution,  undermines  the  morals,  defiles  the  heart — 
there !   come  to  breakfast !  " 

"  Defiles  the  heart — come  to  breakfast !  A  pretty  brace 
of  subjects  to  string  together,"  said  Jacquetta.  "  Come, 
cousin  Alf,  it  won't  do,  j^ou  pc^rceive,  to  keep  this  hungry 
cousin  of  ours  waiting  any  longer." 

She  passed  her  arm  through  Jacinto's,  and  went  in,  fol- 
lowed by  Captain  Disbrowe.  If  ever  man  was  "  taken 
aback,"  whatever  that  means,  the  Honorable  Alfred  was 
that  man,  at  that  moment ;  and  if  ever  a  man  was  in  a 
fair  way  to  be  madly  jealous,  it  was  he  likewise.  It 
would  have  been  a  comfort  to  have  taken  this  provokingly 
handsome,  dark-eyed  young  foreigner,  and  pitched  him 
neck  and  crop  out  of  the  front  door ;  but  even  that  small 
consolfition  was  denied  him.  And  in  a  frame  of  mind  the 
reverse  of  seraphic,  he  took  his  place  at  the  breakfast- 
table. 

«  Why,  Jack  ! — I  say  Jack !  where's  little  Orrie  How- 
let?"  inquired  Frank,  in  surprise. 

"  Gone,"  said  Jacquetta,  curtly. 

"  Gone  1  "  echoed   the   young  gentleman.     "  Where  ?  " 

''  Home — to  the  inn !  " 

"  Home  !     Go  away  !  she  couldn't  go  so  early  I " 

"  Has  she  really  gone.  Jack  ?  "  said  Mr.  De  Vere,  in 
surprise. 

"Yes,  sir." 

"  Why,  when  did  she  go  ? 

"  Late  last  night — just  before  I  retired.  Old  Grizzle 
came  after  her.     Was  that  part  of  your  dream,  Cousin  ?  " 

Disbrowe  smiled,  and  bowed  slightly. 

'*  Oh,  she  did— did  she  ?  "  said  Frank.  «  How  did  O  e 
like  that  ?  " 

"  She  didn't  like  it  at  all.     She  would  have  preferred 


VI 


!       I 


! 


.       \.      '. 


m 


■t4t 

r 


1 66 


THE  DARK  SECPET. 


remaining  until  morning,  and  being  escorted  home  by 
Captain  Disbrowe,  for  whom  n\ie  las  evidently  conceived 
a  rash  and  inordinate  attachment." 

"  Which  I  hope  you  return,  Alfred,"  said  Mr.  De  Vere, 
smiling. 

"  Certainly,  sir.  You  don't  think  I  could  be  ungallant 
enough  to  refuse  so  slight  a  favor  to  a  yoang  lady." 

"And  so  you  make  a  point  of  loving  every  girl  who 
chooses  to  take  a  fancy  to  you." 

"Undoubtedly!" 

"  Really,  now  !  how  excessively  kind  of  you  !  "  exclaimed 
Jacquetta.  "  And  how  many  girls  have  the  good  taste  to 
love  you  annually.  Captain  Disbrowe  ?  " 

"  I  regret  I  cannot  tell  you — I  never  was  a  proficient  in 
complex  arithmetic." 

"  Poor  little  Orrie ! "  said  Frank.  "  It  was  a  shame  to 
take  her  off.     I  wonder  she  went  at  all." 

'<  Unfortunately  she  had  no  choice  in  the  matter.  But 
don't  distress  yourself,  Francis,  my  son,  she  wasn't  at  all 
anxious  about  you ;  but  was  in  the  deepest  distress  at  be- 
ing forced  away  without  seeing  our  lady-killing  cousin 
here.  In  fact,  we  had  some  difficulty  in  persuading  her 
to  go  without  paying  a  visit  to  his  room,  to  give  him  a 
parting  embrace ;  but  our  combined  eloquence  prevailed 
on  her  at  last." 

"  Why  did  you  not  allow  her  ?  I  should  have  been  glad 
to  see  my  little  friend  before  she  left,"  said  Captain  Dis- 
browe. 

"  You  were  dreaming  about  that  time,"  said  Jacquetta, 
dryly.  "  And  I  rather  fancy  if  she  had  entered,  she  would 
have  found  an  empty  cage.  Had  you  not  better  ride  over 
to-day  and  return  her  visit  ?  " 

"  Very  likely  I  shall — if  I  can  prevail  on  you  to  be  my 
body-guard  on  that  occasion.  Remember  you  told  me 
once,  how  dangerous  it  was  for  me  to  ride  out  unprotect- 
ed in  these  savage  regions." 

«  Poor  child  1  so  it  is !  Why,  there  is  no  telling  but 
some  tremendous  New  Jersey  female  might  spring  out 
from  behind  a  tree,  and  unable,  like  all  the  rest  of  her 
sex,  to  resist  the  irresistible  Captain  Disbrowe,  bear  him 
off  in  his  helpless  innocence  to— Oh  1  I  tremble  for  you, 


PRIDE  AND  PASSION. 


167 


•J 


cousin !  Think  what  your  anxious  brother  would  say 
when  he  heard  of  it  ?  " 

"  Tiien  to  prevent  such  a  terrific  climax,  will  you  con- 
sent to  accompany  and  take  care  of  me  ?  " 

"  Well,  there  it  is.  I  am  sorry  to  disappoint  you,  but 
I  should  be  a  great  deal  more  sorry  to  disappoint  myself. 
Should  be  released  to  oblige  you,  cousin  Alf,  but  you  per- 
ceive I  can't." 

«  Why  not  ?  " 

"  Well,  I've  got  a  previous  and  more  pleasant  engage- 
ment." 

"  Can  you  not  break  it  ?  Make  an  act  of  self-denial, 
and  come  with  me  !  " 

"  Oh,  I  couldn't  think  of  such  a  thing — could  I,  Jacinto  ?  " 

Jacinto  smiled,  and  was  silent. 

"  Oh,  if  your  engagement  is  with  him — "  began  Dis- 
browe,  coldly. 

"  That's  it,  you  see  it  would  be  impossible  to  break  one 
made  with  him.  And  he  has  promised  to  teach  me 
Spanish  ;  and  we  have  got  already  as  far  as  the  verb  to 
love!'' 

"  With  such  a  teacher  it  cannot  have  taken  you  long 
to  reach  that  most  interesting  of  all  verbs,"  laughed  Mr. 
De  Yere. 

Disbrowe's  face  had  assumed  a  look  of  cold  hauteur,  and 
Jacquetta's  eyes  sparkled  maliciously.  A  wicked  reply 
was  on  her  lips ;  b'^.t  before  she  could  speak,  a  sudden 
and  most  unexpected  sound  froze  the  words  she  would 
have  uttered. 

A  low,  soft  strain  of  music,  subdued  and  distant,  yet 
perfectly  clear  and  sweet,  fell  on  the  ears  of  all — that 
music  Disbrowe  so  well  knew. 

In  an  instiint  Jacquetta  was  on  her  feet,  deathly  white, 
and  with  her  hands  clasped  convulsively  over  her  heart. 
Mr.  De  Vere,  too,  arose  in  consternation ;  and  even  Au- 
gusta, who  had  hitherto  sat  silent  and  stony,  stood  up,  in 
evident  agitation.  Had  a  grenade  suddenly  exploded  at 
their  feet,  it  could  not  have  produced  a  more  instantane- 
ous cliange  than  that  low,  sweet,  plaintive  strain.  And 
Disbrowe  saw — himself  agitfited,  though  he  could  scarce- 
ly tell  why — that  the  eyes  of  her  father  and  sister  turned 


I) 


i 


\ 


I,*    '. 


nil.  V 

.-1  I 


ir'    1V 


I.  »1 
•    II 


i68 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


i 


on  Jacquetta,  in  mingled  terror  and  pity,  as  if  she  were 
the  one  most  concerned. 

There  was  an  instant's  silence,  and  then  it  arose  again  in 
a  long,  wailing  sort  of  cry,  dying  out  faint  and  sad. 
Without  a  word,  Jacquetta  started  to  leave  the  room. 

"  Jacquetta,  my  dear  girl,  do  you  think  had  I  not  bet- 
ter accompany  you  ?  "  said  Mr.  I)e  Vere,  turning  his  agi- 
tated face  toward  her. 

"  No,  no — I  will  go  myself — remain  where  you  are," 
she  said,  in  a  voice  s^  like  ^  lat  of  last  night,  that  her  im- 
a,'j:8  rose  again  before  i  >j  owe,  as  he  had  seen  her  then 
standing,  white  and  osiiji,  like  a  devouring  flame,  in  the 
cold  moonlight. 

She  was  gone  in  an  instant,  and  Mr.  De  Yere  and  Au- 
gusta resumed  their  seats,  still  so  strangely  and  strongly 
agitattKl,  and  listening  intently  to  catch  every  sound. 
Disbrowe  looked  resolutely  in  his  plate  to  avoid  meeting 
the  eye  of  Frank ;  and  the  young  Spaniard  looked  the 
intense  wonder  he  did  not  venture  to  speak. 

A  long  and  embarrassing  pause  ensued — broken  at  last 
by  Mr.  De  Vere,  who  asked,  with  an  apparent  effort, 
some  trivial  question  of  Disbrowe.  The  young  guards- 
man responded  ;  and  seeing  the  evident  distress  of  his 
uncle,  strove  to  sustain  the  conversation,  in  which  he  was 
joined,  for  the  first  time,  by  Augusta,  who  seemed  roused 
from  her  petrified  state  by  the  singular  sound. 

It  was  a  relief  to  all  when  the  meal  was  over.  Mr.  De 
Vere  and  his  daughter  immediately  quitted  the  room, 
Jacinto  sat  on  a  low  stool,  and  began  drawing  the  ears 
of  Jacquetta's  fierce  dog  through  his  fingers.  Frank,  with 
his  hands  in  his  pockets,  and  an  uneasy  look  in  his  eyes, 
went  whistling  up  and  down  the  room ;  and  Disbrowe 
stood  like  a  tall,  dark  statue  at  one  of  the  windows — his 
arms  folded  over  his  breast,  and  an  unusual  look  of  dark 
gloom  on  his  handsome  face.  Jacinto  and  Frank  cast  fur- 
tive glances  toward  him,  and  at  last  the  latter  spoke ; 

"  I  say,  cousin  Alfred." 

"  Well?  "  was  the  brief  response. 

"  What  a  singular  affair  that ! — wasn't  it  ?  " 

«  What  ?  " 

"  Oh,  bother !    You  know  well  enough  !    The  music  I " 


PRIDE  AND  PASSION. 


169 


•e 

n 
I. 


There  was  no  response. 

"  Never  knew  it  to  happen  before,  and  I've  been  here  since 
I  was  the  size  of  that."  And  Master  Frank  held  liis  hand 
about  three  inches  from  the  ground.  "  \'cry  odd  ! — ex- 
cessively so ! " 

"  Where  did  it  come  from  ?  "  asked  Jacinto. 

"  Oh !  from  around  somewhere,"  said  Frank,  giving 
himself  an  uneasy  shriig.  "  It  wasn't  anything,  you 
know !  " 

Jacinto  smiled  slightly,  and  returned  to  caressing  the 
dog.  Disbrowe  turned  round,  and  even  the  sight  of  the 
young  Spaniard  on  such  good  terms  with  her  favorite  dog 
brought  an  irritated  flush  to  his  ))row. 

"I  think  of  riding  out  this  morning,"  he  t.  id.  0 Frank. 
**  What  do  you  say  to  coming  with  me  ?  " 

Frank,  who  had  his  own  notions  of  hosp'  aitv,  hesitated 
a  moment  and  glanced  at  Jacinto.  Disbruwx  '..w  the  look, 
and  said,  haughtily : 

"  I  beg  your  pardon — I  forgot.  It  will  i:  L j  necessary." 
And  he  turned  to  leave. 

"  If  Jacinto  would  come  with  us,  "  said  Frank,  doubtfully. 

"  Oh !  go  with  him.  Don't  mind  me ;  I  will  do  very 
well,"  said  Jacinto,  cordially.  "^ 

"  By  no  means,"  interposed  Disbrowe,  hurriedly.  "  Frank 
shall  not  commit  such  a  breach  of  hospitality  on  my  ac- 
count.   I  will  go  alone." 

Five  minutes  later,  and  he  was  in  the  saddle  and  away. 
Thinking  of  Jacquetta,  and  trying  in  vain  to  solve  the  rid- 
dle that  perplexed  him,  he  rode  rapidly  on,  resolved  to 
see  little  Orrie  before  he  returned. 

It  was  three  hours  nearly  before  the  inn  came  in  sight : 
and  he  remembered,  with  a  strange  mingling  of  feelings, 
the  last  night  he  had  spent  there.  It  was  a  gloomy-look- 
ing place — almost  as  foreboding  in  aspect  as  its  mistress. 

"  I  wonder  what  the  dear  old  lady  will  think  of  this 
morning  call  from  me  ?  "  soliloquized  Disbrowe.  "  I  fancy 
she  will  be  surprised — rather  I  If  anybody  had  told  me, 
six  months  ago,  when  I  thought  it  a  bore  to  trot  through 
Rotten  Row  of  a  sunshiny  morning,  I  would  take,  to-day 
a  gallop  of  over  thirty  mi  and  all  to  see  a  little  elf  from 
goblin  land — ^well,  to  dra"     ^^  mild,  I  should  say  it  was  a 


D:8    ' 


I    1 


u-  » 


s^t 


r\ 


!|i 


III 


iii 


ill! 


170 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


confounded  lie !  It  must  be  something  in  the  air,  I  think ; 
or  some  of  the  dreadful  eh^rgy  of  the  natives  of  this  new 
land  has  been,  by  some  mysterious  means,  instilled  into 
me.  T  wish  Columbus  and  all  his  men  had  been  scalped 
and  devoured  by  the  Indians  the  day  he  was  so  officious 
as  to  begin  discovering  continents,  anyway  1 " 

And  with  this  second  charitable  wish,  he  sprung  from 
his  horse,  and  had  raised  his  whip  to  knock  at  the  door, 
when  a  scream  of  delight  greeted  his  ear ;  and  the  next 
instant  a  x)air  of  arms  were  around  his  neck,  and  little 
Orrie  herself  was  kissing  and  clinging  to  him  like  a  hu- 
man crab. 

"  Oh,  I  knew  you'd  come  !  T  knew  you  would  1  And 
I'm  so  glad ! "  she  exclaimed,  in  tones  of  breathless  de- 
lij^ht.  "  I've  been  waiting  for  you  all  the  morning.  Why 
didn't  you  come  earlier  !  " 

"  Well,  unless  I  had  started  in  the  middle  of  the  night, 
I  don't  see  how  I  could  I  " 

"  I  came  in  the  middle  of  the  night — did  you  know  it  ?  " 

"Yes." 

"  Oh,  Miss  Jack  told  you.  I  wanted  to  see  you,  but  Miss 
Jack  wouldn't  let  me." 

"What  did  she  say?" 

"  Why,  that  you  were  asleep,  and  it  would  not  look  well 
to  go  and  awaken  you.  And  then  she  said  she  would  tell 
you  to  come  and  see  me  to-day.  Were  you  sorry  when 
she  said  I  was  gone  ?  " 


» 


'•  Very. 

Orrie  lowered  her  voice,  and  pointed  to  the  house. 

"  It  wasn't  my  fault,  you  know ;  she  came  for  me,  and 
T  didn't  want  to  go.  But  then,  it's  just  like  her.  She's 
a  horrid,  ugly  old  thing,  everyway  you  can  fix  it  1  " 

"  You  little  virago  !  did  she  make  you  walk  ?  " 

"  Walk  ? "  said  Orrie,  breaking  into  her  short,  shrill 
laugh.  "I  guess  not!  We  rid-a-horseback — on  old  Dob- 
bin, you  know.     Are  you  going  in  ?  " 

"  No,  I  think  not.  I  am  not  particularly  anxious  to  see 
the  dear  old  soul !     I  came  to  see  you." 

"  Did  you  ? — that's  so  nice !  And,  oh,  I  do  love  you 
better  than  anybody  else  in  the  world  ! "  cried  Orrie,  with 
another  of  her  impulsive  hugs  and  kisses. 


A      !|' 


PRIDE  AND  PAvSSION. 


171 


"  Thank  you.  I'm  very  much  ohhged ;  hut,  at  the  same 
time,  I  had  rather  not  hv,  strangh^d  outright  with  these 
dreadful  Uttle  arms  of  yours.  Did  she  beat  you  when  she 
got  you  home  ?  " 

"No;  Old  Nick  was  hero,  and  ho  wouldn't  let  her. 
Only  for  him,  I  guess  I'd  have  caught  it ! "  said  Orrie, 
with  a  (ihuckle. 

"  Ah  I  is  he  there  now  ?  " 

"  No  ;  he  and  Kit  and  151aize  went  away  this  morning. 
Do  you  know,"  said  Orrie,  lowering  her  voice  again,  "  they 
were  talking  about  you  when  I  arrived  ?  " 

«  Were  tliey  ?     What  did  they  say  ?  " 

"  Well,  you  know,  I  couldn't  hear  very  well — I  wasn't 
in  the  room,  but  listening  at  the  door." 

"  Oh  !  a  very  conmiendable  practice,  which  you  ought 
to  cultivate  while  you  are  young,  as  I  fancy  you  have  a 
talent  that  way.  And  they  were  taking  my  name  in  vain, 
were  tliey  ?  " 

"  They  were  talking  about  you  ! "  said  Orrie,  looking 
a  little  puzzled,  for  one-half  of  the  young  gentleman's 
speeches  were  Greek  to  her  or  tliereabouts  ;  "  and  Captiiin 
Nick  said  he  would  kill  you,  if  he  was  to  swing  for  it  the 
next  moment.     What  did  he  mean  Ijy  that  V  " 

"  Never  mind  I  You  will  find  out,  probably,  by  experi- 
ence, one  of  these  days,  if  you  live  much  longer  with  this 
amiable  old  lady  of  yours.     What  else  did  they  say  ?  " 

"  Why,  old  Grizzle  laughed  at  hhn,  and  said  she  despised 
his  notions  of  revenge.  That  killing  was  no  good — or 
something  like  that — and  that  she  knew  a  way  to  fix  you 
off  a  thousand  times  worse ! " 

"  Dear  old  soul ! "  said  Disbrowe,  apostrophizing  her  in 
a  low  voice.  "What  a  blessed  old  lady  she  is,  to  be 
sure ! " 

"  Then  I  heard  old  Nick  ask  her  how ;  and  she  said  to 
come  to-morrow  night — that's  to-night,  you  know,"  said 
Orrie — "  and  she  would  tell  him.  And  he  wanted  her  to 
tell  him  then ;  and  she  got  cross,  and  said  she  would  not. 
And  I  heard  her  tell  him  another  thing,  too ! "  added  the 
little  one,  suddenly — "  something  al)out  Miss  Jack." 

"  You  did,  eh  ?    What  was  it,  magpie  ?  " 

"  Why,  that  she  was  going  to  kill  two  birds  with  one 


I-.. 


V    i     •I  •■■: 


r:  f 

mi    ,\ 
IP  »    1 


r^ 


172 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


stone — you  and  her.  So  you  and  Miss  Jack  had  better 
look  out  1 " 

»*  Thank  you.  What  particular  virtue  is  there  in  look- 
ing out  ?  " 

"  Now,  don't  be  funny,"  said  Orrie,  impatiently.  "  I 
should  think  you  ought  to  be  scared  to  death.  I  should, 
I  know." 

"  Well,  I  am  too.    What  else  did  you  hear  ?  " 

"Well — nothing  else,"  said  Orrie,  reluctantly.  "Old 
Grizzle  jerked  the  door  open  before  I  knew  it,  and  caught 
me  there,  and  boxed  my  ears  and  sent  me  to  bed.  And 
that's  all." 

"  And  enough  too,  I  think.  I  wish  you  could  twist  your- 
self into  some  corner  and  hear  what  precious  revelations 
they  will  make  to-night." 

"  Eh  ?  "  said  Orrie. 

"  Oh,  nothing  1  If  you  hear  anything  more,  will  you 
let  me  know  ?  " 

"  Well,  it's  such  a  long  piece  to  go  to  Fontelle,"  said 
Orrie,  hesitatingly.  "  And  old  Grizzle  does  get  so  mad — 
though  I  don't  care  for  that  much — that — " 

"  Oh  I  I  do  not  wish  you  to  travel  to  Fontelle,  my  dear 
child,"  said  Captain  Disbrowe,  smiling  at  her  troubled 
little  face.  "  Perhaps  I  may  ride  over  again  to-morrow 
and  see  you." 

"Will  you?  Oh,  how  nice  I  And  ain*t  Fontelle  a 
beautiful  place  with  such  lovely  big  rooms,  and  nice  pic- 
tures, and  carpets,  and  splendid  soft  beds  ?  Oh  I  I  wish 
I  lived  there  1 "  said  Orrie,  with  sparkling  eyes. 

"  Upon  my  honor  I  wish  you  did.  Firefly  1  Perhaps  you 
may  some  day.     Shall  I  tell  you  how  ?  " 

"  Yes  I "  said  Orrie,  eagerly. 

"  Then  make  Frank  fall  in  love  with  you,  and  get  mar- 
ried to  him  ! "  laughed  Disbrowe. 

Orrie  put  her  finger  on  her  lip,  perched  her  head  on  one 
side,  bird  fashion,  and  lookc  I  reflective. 

"  Do  you  think  I  could  ?  "  she  said,  searchingly. 

"  Could  what  ?  '*  said  Disbrowe. 

"Go  to  live  there  if  I  got  married  to  him?"  said 
Orrie. 

Disbrowe  laughed,  and  nodded. 


PRIDE  AND  PASSION. 


X73 


"Then  I  will !  "  said  Orrie,  decidedly. 

"  Will  marry  him  ?  "  Haid  Disbrowe,  utill  laughing. 

"  Yes  !  "  said  Orrie,  soberly  ;  "  I  shall.  I'll  ask  him 
about  it  the  next  time  I  see  him.  Will  yju  live  there, 
too  ?  " 

"No;  I  am  afraid  not.     I  must  go  home  shortly." 

"  Where  is  your  home  ?  " 

"  Oh  I  away  over  the  sea — far  away." 

Orrie's  countenance  fell. 

"I  shan't  like  it,  then.  I  had  rather  go  with  you. 
Couldn't  I  marry  you,  and  go  there  too  ?  " 

Disbrowe  laughed  heartily. 

"  What  are  you  laugaing  at !  "  said  Orrie,  shari^ly.  "  I 
don't  seo  any  thing  to  laugh  at  I  Perhaps  you  are  l<uigh- 
ing  at  me  I "  she  exclaimed,  as  the  thought  strucK  her 
for  the  first  time.  ' 

"Laughing  at  you?"  said  Disbrowe,  composing  his 
countenance.  "  I  hope  I  have  better  manners.  No,  indeed. 
Miss  Orrie." 

"  Well,  will  you  marry  me,  though  ?  "  said  Orrie,  curi- 
ously. 

« It's  very  likely  I  shall,"  said  Disbrowe,  maintaining 
his  gravity  by  an  effort,  "  though  I  must  refer  you  to  papa  ! 
Oh !  here  comes  the  old  witch  of  Endor  herself.  Good-by, 
Orrie.    I'll  think  of  your  proposal." 

And  kissing  the  small  face,  upturned  in  all  gravity  for 
that  pleasant  operation,  he  set  her  down,  sprung  on  Sala- 
din,  and  galloped  off,  just  as  old  Grizzle,  in  angry  astonish- 
ment, came  to  the  door. 

Once  out  of  sight,  Disbrowe  laughed  until  he  could  laugh 
no  longer,  over  Orrie's  unexpected  proposal,  and  the  solemn 
countenalice  with  which  she  made  it.  Once  or  twice 
more  ux.  pleasant  thoughts  obtruded  themselves ;  but,  with 
his  happy,  careless  nature,  he  set  them  aside,  and  galloped 
back  in  far  better  spirits  and  appetite  than  when  he  had 
left. 

It  was  sometime  in  the  afternoon  when  bo  reached 
Fontelle.  Wishing  to  see  his  uncle  for  a  moiiient,  to  dis- 
cover if  he  had  any  message  to  send  to  Lord  Earnecliffe, 
to  whom  he  was  about  to  write,  he  inquired  aiiev  luncheon, 
where  he  was,  and  learned  from  Tribulation  that  he  was 


!      I 


i; 


V 


If  ■ 

r.    i 

0     < 

l»!l-i-      ■ 

iv '   : 

ff 

ki 


^^1 


ll!' 


174 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


in  the  library,  according  to  his  custom  ; "  i '  the  after- 
noon." 

The  library  was  at  the  end  of  the  south  hall ;  and  to 
reach  it  he  had  to  pass  the  rooms  of  Jacquetta  and  Jacinto, 
which  were  opposite  each  other.  Thinking  of  her  with 
returning  tenderness,  he  started  on  his  errand,  humming 
a  verse  of  the  old  song : 

"  I  might  have  had  a  king's  daughter, 
Far,  far  beyond  the  sea  ; 
I  might  have  liad  a  king's  daughter, 
Had  it  not  been  for  love  of  thee." 

The  door  of  Jacinto's  room  lay  open  as  he  passed,  and 
something  caught  his  eye,  and  he  paused. 

Well  he  might  I  Well  might  he  stand  transfixed,  while 
the  blood  flushed  in  a  crimson  tide  for  one  instant  to  his 
very  temples,  and  then  retreated,  leaving  him  white  even 
to  his  lips. 

On  a  sofa  indolently  reclined  Jacinto — his  head  resting 
on  one  hand,  the  other  toying  with  the  silken  curls  of 
Jacquetta,  while  he  gazed  up  in  her  face  with  eyes  full  of 
love  and  joy.  She  bent  above  him  ;  her  arms  around  him 
as  she  knelt  beside  his  couch,  talking  in  softest  whispers ; 
and  at  last,  as  he  stood  there,  he  saw  her  stoop  down  and 
press  her  lips  warmly  to  his. 

The  sight  maddened  him.  What  he  would  have  said 
— what  he  would  have  done  in  his  first  fierce  outburst  of 
rage  and  jealousy,  it  would  be  hard  to  say ;  but  both  had 
heard  him,  and  both  were  on  their  feet  in  a  moment. 
Face,  and  neck,  and  brow  of  Jacquetta  grew  crimson  for 
an  instant — the  next,  it  vanished ;  and  with  a  look  on  her 
face  he  had  never  seen  there  before,  she  walked  over  and 
confronted  him. 


A  QUEEN  UNCROWNED. 


I7S 


CHAPTER   XV. 


A  QUEEN    UNCROWNED. 

*•  I  hear  a  voice  you  cannot  hear, 
Which  says  I  must  not  stay  ; 
I  see  a  hand  you  cannot  see, 
Which  beckons  me  away." 

There  was  a  pause,  during  which  they  stood  gazing  at 
each  other,  one  in  scorn,  and  the  other  in  defiance.  Jacinto 
stood  with  his  face  averted — silent,  too.  Jacquetta  was 
the  fli'st  to  speak.  ' 

"Well,  sir,"  she  said  Imperiously. 

He  bowed  in  mock  humility.  ■■ 

"  I  beg  your  pardon,  Miss  Jacquetta.  I  was  on  my  way 
to  the  libraiy  to  see  my  uncle,  and  passing  hero — " 

"  You  stopped  to  look  in." 

"Not  intentionally.  The  door  being  open,  I  gave  a 
passing  glance  in,  naturally ;  not  expecting  the  interesting 
little  tableau  vivant  that  met  my  eye.  Excuse  me  for  in- 
terrupting it ;  I  would  not  have  done  so  for  the  world." 

She  grew  crimson  at  the  insinuation  his  tone  conveyed. 

"  Insolent !     What  do  you  mean,  sir  ?  " 

"  Mean  ?  Oh,  nothing,  my  dear  cousin !  But  would 
you  mind  my  advising  you  to  shut  the  door,  in  future, 
when  you  indulge  in  such  little  endearments  ?  They  are 
very  natural  and  harmless,  no  doubt,  but  some  of  the  serv- 
ants may  chance  to  see  you ;  and  servants  unll  talk,  you 
know  ?  " 

"  Our  servants  will  not ;  our  guests  appear  to  be  more 
given  to  eavesdropping  than  they  are.  Be  assured,  sir, 
we  shall  take  the  precaution  of  shutting  the  door,  in 
future.     Have  you  anything  else  to  advise  ?  " 

"  Nothing,"  said  Disbrowe,  pale  with  passion  and  jeal- 
ousy, "  but  that  midnight  interviews  with  old  liags,  and 
afternoon  interviews  with  young  Spaniards,  should  both  be 
more  discreetly  managed,  lest  Miss  Jacquetta  De  Vere  find 
herself  in  trouble,  some  day." 

"Miss  Jacquetta  De  Vere  is  very  much  obliged* to  you, 


^^^K 

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176 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


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Ill 


but  is  quite  capable  of  taking  care  of  herself.  Anything 
else,  my  worthy  cousin  ?  " 

"  Nothing  else.     Good- afternoon,  Miss  De  Vere." 

«  One  moment !  Did  you  dream  this  pleasant  little  scene 
was  to  happen  ?  "  said  Jacquetta,  mth  a  curious  smile. 

"  Some  faint  vision  like  it  may  have  passed  through  my 
mind,  of  late,  but  nothing  quite  so  enchanting  as  the  real- 
ity. I  see  now,  why  I  was  refused.  Allow  me  to  take 
the  present  opportunity  of  congratulating  you  on  your 
good  fortune,  lest  another  should  not  occur,  speedily." 

"  Where  are  you  going  ?  " 

"  To  the  library,  just  at  present." 

"  Is  papa  there  ?  " 

"  Ml/  uncle  is  there — yes,"  said  Disbrowe,  with  emphasis. 

«  What  do  you  mean,  sir  ?  "  she  demanded,  with  a  sharp 
flash  of  her  eye. 

"Nothing.  Part  of  my  dream  merely  crossed  my 
mind." 

She  looked  at  him  as  if  she  would  have  pierced  him  with 
her  sharp,  angry  eyes ;  but  his  face  wore  no  expression, 
save  one  of  contemptuous  sarcasm.  It  stung  her  to  the 
quick ;  and  again  her  pale  face  flushed,  and  her  eye  blazed 
with  a  dangerous  light. 

"  I  presume  you  are  going  to  tell  him  what  you  have 
seen  ?  " 

He  bowed. 

"  Miss  Jacquetta  is  at  liberty  to  construe  my  conduct  as 
she  pleases.  At  the  same  time,  I  would  humbly  insinuate 
I  am  neither  an  eavesdropper  nor  a  tale-bearer." 

"  I  confess,  it  looks  like  it,"  she  said,  with  a  curling  lip. 
*'  One  thing  is  certain :  your  conduct,  since  you  came  here, 
has  been  very  fai*  removed  from  that  of  a  gentleman." 

"Miss  De  Vere  !  "  he  said,  haughtily. 

"  How  has  it  been  ?  "  she  broke  out,  fiercelj\  "  Was  it 
the  part  of  a  gentleman,  in  the  first  place,  after  receiving 
the  hospitality  of  this  house,  to  insult  the  daughter  of 
your  host  by  an  offer  of  the  love  long  ago  pledged  to  an- 
other ?  Was  it  the  part  of  a  gentleman  to  follow  me  into 
a  quarter  of  this  house  you  knew  was  forbidden,  to  see, 
and  hear,  and  spy  on  my  actions  ?  Was  it  the  part  of  a 
gentleman,  I  say,  to  stop  looking  in  doors  and  at  scenes 


1 1 


A  QUEEN  UNCROWNED. 


177 


you  had  no  business  to  look — at  things  never  meant  for 
your  eye  ?  " 

"  I  can  believe  that^  Miss  Jacquetta,"  he  said,  in  scorn- 
ful anger  ;  "  and  I  might  retort,  by  saying  :  "  Was  it  the 
part  of  a  lady  to  become  an  actor  in  such  forbidden  scenes 
— a  De  Vere  stooping  to  love  a  nameless  foreign  adven- 
turer? "     I  thought  better  things  of  my  cousin." 

"  Who  cares  what  you  thought,  sir !  "  she  said,  with  a 
passionate  stamp  of  her  foot.  "  I  will  love  whom  I  please, 
do  what  I  please,  stoop  to  what  I  please,  and  defy  you  to 
your  face." 

"  Allow  me  to  claim  the  same  privilege,  then." 

"  You  to  come  here  to  dictate  to  me ! "  continued  Jac- 
quetta, completely  overcome  by  passion,  and  pacing  llercely 
up  and  down,  after  her  custom  when  excited.  "  You,  a 
complete  stranger,  who,  because  your  mother  chanced  to 
bear  our  name,  forsooth,  think  yourself  privileged  to  rule 
lord  and  master  of  Fontelle  Hall  and  Jacquetta  de  Yere. 
Who  are  you,  sir  ?  What  are  you,  that  you  should  dare 
to  talk  like  this  to  me  ?  " 

"  Verily,  a  man  of  little  account,"  said  Disbrowe,  with 
a  cold,  calm  smile,  that  fairly  maddened  her,  "and  with 
no  authority  either  in  Fontelle  or  over  IVliss  Jack  de  Vere ; 
but,  as  she  bears  my  family  name,  and  claims  kindred  witli 
me,  I  feel  a  friendly  interest  in  her  and  her  reputation.'''' 

If  a  bullet  had  struck  her,  she  could  not  have  paused 
more  suddenly  in  her  passionate  tread,  nor  tunied  of  a 
more  livid  whiteness.  Again,  she  clasped  both  hands  over 
her  heart,  as  he  had  seen  her  do  before,  and  reel  as  'f  she 
had  got  a  blow. 

"  She  is  fainting  !  "  cried  Jacinto,  springing  forward  in 
terror. 

Shocked  and  terrified  at  the  effect  of  his  words,  spoken 
without  thought  in  the  white  heat  of  his  passion,  Dis- 
browe advanced ;  and  alarmed,  lest  she  were  really  faint- 
ing, he  would  have  caught  her ;  but  with  a  great  cry,  she 
held  out  her  orms  to  keep  him  off. 

"  Go !  go !  Leave  me  1 "  she  cried,  huskily,  pointing  with 
one  flickering  finger  to  the  door. 

"  My  dearest  cousin  !  "  he  said,  in  sorrow  and  remorse, 
"  What  have  I  said  ?     Can  you  ever  forgive  me  ? "" 


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178 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


I    i)i 


"  Leave  me  I  "  she  exclaimed,  passionately. 

"  Forget  my  words,  dear  Jacquetta ;  forget  what  I 
oaid." 

"Xever !  so  help  me  Heaven  I "  she  fiercely  cried.  "  Go, 
and  rever  come  back !  I  never  want  to  look  on  your  face 
again." 

There  was  no  resisting  that  tone  I  Sorrowfully,  he 
turned  away,  casting  one  last  look  behind  him — a  look  he 
never  forgot  till  his  dying  day. 

He  saw  her  fling  herself  on  the  sofa,  her  hands  still 
tightly  clasped  on  her  breast,  her  face  buried  in  the 
pillows.  He  heard  a  passionate,  anguished  cry :  "  Oh,  my 
heart !  my  heart ! "  And  then  the  reproachful  eyes  of 
Jacinto  were  raised  to  his  ;  the  door  was  closed,  and  the 
young,  fearless  mountain- queen  lay  uncrowned  and  un- 
throned, unsceptered  and  disgraced,  with  the  arrow  he 
had  sped  quivering  in  her  heart. 

He  had  to  stand  for  some  moments  himself  to  regain 
his  calmness  before  he  could  knock  at  the  library  door. 
He  turned  the  handle,  in  answer  to  his  uncle's  "  Come  in," 
and  stood  before  him  Avith  his  customary  composure ;  but 
with  a  face  paler  and  sterner  than  that  worthy  old  gentle- 
man had  ever  seen  him  wear  before. 

"  My  dear  boy,"  he  exclaimed,  pushing  up  his  spectav  Its, 
"  what  is  the  matter  ?  " 

"Nothing,"  said  Disbrowe,  taking  a  r;i;.ir — "at  least, 
nothing  you  need  disturb  yourself  about.  I  have  come  to 
thank  you  for  the  pleasant  hours  I  lii ,e  spent  beneath 
your  roof,  and  to  announce  my  departure." 

"  Your  ichat  ? "  exclaimed  Mr.  De  Vere,  in  consterna- 
tion. 

Disbrowe  smiled. 

"  My  departure.    I  leave  to-morrow." 

"  To-morrow  !  God  bless  us  1 "  said  Mr.  De  Vere,  push- 
ing back  his  chair,  and  looking  at  him.  "  Have  you  gone 
crazy  ? " 

"  Nc^  sir ;  I  hope  not." 

"Then  •vvLnt  ha-i  put  this  absurd  notion  into  your  head? 
And  so  su^idenly,  too !  Why,  last  night,  when  you  told 
me  yc  a  v*  lO  9;' Aug  \g  writo  to  Earnecliffe,  to-day,  you 
had  no  i^^e;   -  n*;  t  the  lemotest — of  leaving." 


A  QUEEN  UNCROWNED. 


179 


Disbrowe  colored. 

"  Circumstances  alter  cases.  I  have  changed  my  mind 
since  then." 

"  Ah,  pooh  !  I  won't  hear  it — I  won't !  Going  away 
to-morrow,  indeed  !  Oh,  pooh !  p(X)h !  pooh  !  the  notion 
is  absurd,"  said  Mr.  De  Vere,  taking  a  huge  pinch  of  snuff, 
and  blowing  liis  nose  furiously. 

"  My  dear  uncle,  if  you  only  knew — " 

"  Well,  I  don't  know,  and  what's  more,  I  don't  want  to 
know.  I  won't  hear  of  such  a  thing !  I  won't,  positively ! 
What  will  the  girls  say  ?  " 

Disbrowe  smiled  bitterly. 

"  They  will  hardly  regret  my  departure,  I  fancy." 

"  Yes  they  will,  too,  you  must  not  foncy  any  such 
thing.  Gusty's  cold  and  undemonstrative,  T  know ,  and 
you  have  seen  what  a  glamour  that  infernal  old  hag  has 
cast  over  her.  But  she  likes  you  none  the  less ;  and 
Jack's  wild  and  saucy.  But  it's  her  way  ;  and  I'm  sure 
she  will  be  outrageous  wlien  she  learns  it.  Oh,  yon 
mustn't  think  of  going  at  all.     It  won't  do,  you  see." 

"Unfortunately,  my  dear  sir,  it  is  not  a  matter  of 
thought.     I  must  go." 

"  Nonsense.  You  can  stay  if  you  like.  Who  is  to 
make  you?     Who  is  to  say  must  to  you  ?  " 

"  Ah  !  '  thereby  hangs  a  tale  ! '"  said  Disbrowe,  smiK 
ing  slightly.  "  There  is  one  o'er  the  water  a-sighin'  for 
me! " 

"  Oh,  I  see  ! "  said  Mr.  De  Ye  re,  a  light  breaking  in 
on  him.  " '  There  is,'  as  they  say  of  the  du-  >,  '  a  lady  In 
the  case.'" 

Disbrowe  bowed  ;  and  a  faint  red  tinged  liis  cheek. 

"  Indeed  !  who  is  she,  Alfred  ?  " 

"Miss  Norma  Macdonald.  You  remomber  the  Mac- 
donalds  of  Castle  Hill,  Inverness.  Her  lather  is  of  that 
ilk." 

"  I  knew  them — yes.  There  were  two  brothers — Angus 
and  Randall.  And  a  wild  scapegrace  Randall  was — in- 
ordinately fond  of  'women  and  Avine.'  Which  is  her 
father?" 

"  Randall  Macdonald.  He  is  a  reformed  '  haracter  now. 
His  elder  brother  died,  and  all  the  property  fell  to  him. 


.  i 


f 


i  'I 


i8o 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


He  was  abroad  at  the  time,  and  only  returned  upon  the 
death  of  his  brother — a  widower,  then,  with  his  only 
daughter,  at  the  time  five  years  old." 

" Does  he  live  at  Castle  Hill? " 

"  No ;  he  bought  a  magnificent  estate  in  Derbyshire, 
and  has  lived  there  ever  since  I  can  remember.  I  fancy 
he  found  the  old  manor  rather  dull  and  gloomy,  and  so 
preferred  England." 

"  And  so  you  are  engaged  to  be  married  to  her  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir,  I  believe  I  am,"  said  Disbrowe,  carelessly. 

"Is  she  handsome?" 

"  More — she  is  beautiful." 

"  Of  course.  Was  there  ever  a  lover  thought  other- 
wise ?  Well,  she  comes  of  a  good  family.  Xo  better-  - 
good  old  Scotch  blood  flowing  in  her  veins.  Who  was 
her  mother  ?  " 

"  Can't  say.  A  foreign  lady,  I  believe.  Indeed,  if  I 
am  not  greatly  mistaken,  she  was  an  American.  Mr. 
Macdoriald,  I  know,  was  in  America  for  some  time,  and, 
from  several  slight  things,  I  more  than  once  susjjected 
she  was  a  native  oi  this  new  country.  He  never  alluded 
to  the  subject  himself.  I  never  heard  'Am  speak  of  his 
wife  in  my  life." 

"  Humph  I  that's  odd.  Perhaps — but  no  matter. 
When  are  you  to  be  married  ?  " 

"  When  Miss  Macdonald  att;iins  her  nineteenth  birth- 
day." 

"  And  when  Avill  that  ]>lessed  time  be  ?  " 

"  Sometime  next  November,  I  believe." 

"  You  believe  !  You're  a  pretty  lover !  Of  course,  you 
are  all  impatience  till  the  time  comes  ! " 

"  Of  course  !  "  was  the  dry  answer. 

Mr.  De  Yere  locked  at  him  with  a  queer  smile. 

«Is  she  rich?" 

"  Very — worth  ten  thousand  a  year." 

"  Which,  with  the  barony  of  Guilford,  and  the  earldom 
of  Earnecliffe,  will  be  nearly  a  hundred  thousand.  Do 
you  know  you  will  be  one  of  the  richest  peers  in  England 
one  of  these  days,  Alfred  ?  " 

"  1  need  it.     I  am  poor  enough  now." 

"  I  suppose  Earneciiffe  gives  you  a  liberal  allowance." 


A  QUEEN  UNCROWNED. 


i8r 


"  Does  he  ?  Something  like  two  thousand  a  year  ;  and 
"w^hat  is  thai  to  me — and  with  the  set  I  move  among,  too  ?  " 
said  Disbrowe,  contemptuously. 

"  Many  a  man  could  subsist  pretty  easily  on  that  sum,'* 
said  his  uncle,  drily.  "  My  yearly  income  does  not  exceed 
it." 

Disbrowe  stared. 

"  My  dear  uncle,  I  thought  you  were  rich.'' 

"  Well,  I  am,  too — as  rich  as  I  want  to  be." 

Captain  Disbrowe  felt  a  strong  inclination  to  whistle ; 
but  he  didn't. 

"  My  dear  boy,  will  you  let  your  old  uncle  ask  you  a 
question,  without  being  offended  ?  " 

"  Certainly,  sir.     Ask  as  many  as  you  please." 

"  Then,  was  it  you  or  Lord  Earnecliffe  brought  about 
this  engagement?" 

«  Earnecliffe." 

"  Ah !  indeed  !    Do  you  love  her,  Alfred  ?  " 

"No,  sir  !  "  said  the  young  man,  coldly. 

"  My  dear  boy  ! " 

"  My  dear  uncle  !  " 

And  Disbrowe  positively  laughed  in  his  uncle's  grave 
face. 

"  But,  really,  this  is — oh,  Alfred !  this  marrying  with- 
out love  is  a  wretched  piece  of  business  !  I  do  not  ap- 
prove of  it  at  all." 

"  My  dear  uncle,  who  would  expect  to  find  you  senti- 
mental ?  " 

"  Sentimental ! "  said  Mr.  De  Vere,  almost  angrily. 
"  I  am  not  sentimental.     Does  she  love  you  ?  " 

An  expression  almost  like  remorse  crept  over  the  hand- 
some young  face. 

"  I  tliink  so — T  believe  so !  It  is  more  than  I  deserve 
fro  m  her  !  " 

w  Po     girl !     You  will  be  goo(^  to  her,  Alfred  ?  " 

"  I  will  try  to  be,  sir." 

"  I  do  not  like  these  marriages  ae  concenance — they  are 
obsolete  in  this  age  of  improvement.  I  wonder  you 
should  consent  tx>  such  an  arrangement,  Alfred." 

"  My  dear  sir,  what  would  you  have  ?  I  can't  do  better. 
She  is  everything  lean  desire.     I  like  her  well  enough  j 


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THE  DARK  SECRET. 


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she  loves  me,  with  all  my  faults  ;  and  we  will  get  along 
very  well  together." 

"  Did  you  ever  love  any  one,  Alfred  ?  " 

"  It  is  late  to  ask  that  question.  Of  course,  like  every 
other  young  man,  I  have  been  in  love  scores  of  times.  It 
is  like  the  measles  and  whooping-cough — we  must  suffer 
through  such  attacks." 

"  If  you  like  no  other  woman  better  than  her,  you  may 
do  well  enough  ;  but  if — do  you  like  any  one  better,  my 
dear  boy  ?  " 

Disbrowe  was  silent ;  but  his  cheek  flushed. 

"'I^'^ence  gives  consent.'  Will  you  not  tell  your  old 
uncle,  Alfred?" 

"  You  had  bettt^  not  ask  that  question,  sir." 

"  I  am  your  friend,  Disbrowe." 

"  I  know  it,  sir ;  and  for  that  reason  I  would  not  tell 
you." 

"Alfred!" 

The  young  man  sprung  from  his  chair,  and  began  pac- 
ing violently  up  and  down  the  room.  Mr.  De  Yere  looked 
at  him  in  something  like  dismay. 

"  Lord  bless  me  !     It  can't  be  possible  you  know !  " 

"What,  sir?" 

"  That  you  have  gone  and  fallen  in  love  with — " 

"  Well  ?  "  said  Disbrowe,  alm^^st  fiercely. 

"  Augusta ! '    exclaimed  Mr.  De  Yere. 

"  No,  sir !  "  said  Disbrowe.  "  Make  your  nmid  easy  on 
that  point.  My  cousin  Augusta  is  up  among  the  stars — 
too  high  above  my  reach.  It  happens  to  be  some  one 
nearer  the  earth." 

"  Oh ! "  said  Mr.  De  Yere,  looking  relieved.  "  I  thought, 
by  your  mami'iS',  it  was  some  one  here ;  and,  as  Augusta 
is  the  only  one — " 

"  The  onli/  one  !  You  forget  you  have  another  daugh- 
ter ! " 

"  What !  Good  Heavens  !  "  exclaimed  his  uncle,  in  per- 
fect horror.     "  It  is  not  possible  that  you  love — " 

"  Jacquetta  De   Yere  !      Yes,  sir  ;  I   do,  with  all  my 
heart  and   soul ! "  fiercely,  passionately,  exclaimed  Dis- 
browe. 
.    Mr.  De  Yere  fell  back,  perfectly  speechless,  in  his  chair. 


A  QUEEN  UNCROWNED. 


183 


"  Yes ;  I  love  her  so  well  that  I  would  niarry  her  to- 
morrow, if  I  c(>uld  ! " 

"  My  dear  Alfred,  this  is — this  is — horrible !  "  gasped 
Mr.  De  Vere. 

"What!  is  it  such  an  unheard  of  thing,  that  a  man 
being  engaged  to  one,  loves  another !  " 

"  No ;  it  is  not  that.  You  do  not  know.  Good  Heavens  I 
if  you  only  did  ! "  cried  Mr.  De  Vere,  perfectly  aghast. 

"  Know  what,  sir?  " 

"  Oil,  I  can't  tell  you — I  can't  tell  you  !  My  dear  boy, 
this  is  the  most  unheard  of — the  most  shocking — why,  I 
thought  you  couldn't  endure  one  another — you  were  al- 
ways quarreling." 

"That  could  not  prevent  me  from  loving  her." 

"  Bless  my  soul !  Did  ever  anybody  hear  anything  like 
this  !  Why,  it's  dreadful — it's  monstrous — it's — it's — I'm 
astounded,  Captain  Disbrowe !  Love  Jacquetta  ?  Why, 
it's  perfectly  awful !  " 

Disbrowe  stopped,  and  looked  at  him  in  amazement. 

"  I  never  heard  the  like — I  never  did — in  all  my  life  I 
I  couldn't  have  believed  such  a  thing ! "  went  on  Mr.  De 
Vere,  in  a  perfect  ecstasy  of  dismay. 

"  Uncle,  there  is  some  mystery  in  this.  What  crime 
have  I  committed,  in  loving  my  cousin,  beyond  my  breach 
of  faith  to  Norma  ?  Would  it  not  have  been  as  bad  had 
I  loved  Augusta  ?  " 

"  Loved  Augusta !  You're  crazy,  young  man  ?  Of 
course,  it  wouldn't  I  Why,  that  would  be  nothing !  But 
to  love  Jack — oh,  it's — it's  terrific!^'' 

"  Really,  uncle,"  said  Disbrowe,  coldly,  "  this  is  very 
singular,  to  say  the  least.  Miss  Jacquetta  appears  to  be  a 
sort  of  human  Koh-i-noor — a  female  mysterious  princess, 
whom  it  is  high  treason  to  look  at.  /do  not  see  any 
thing  at  all  terrific  about  the  business." 

"Oh,  you  don't  know — you  don't  know.  Good  gra- 
cious !  if  you  did!    Does  Jacquetta  know  this?" 

«  Yes,  sir." 

"  She  does  !    My  dear  boy,  what  did  she  say  ?  " 

"  Say  ?  She  said  so  much  that  I  would  find  it  difficult 
to  tell  you.  I  know  she  got  into  a  towering  passion,  and 
told  me  I  had  insulted  her— which  was  far  enough  from 


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THE  DARK  SECRET. 


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my  thoughts,  Heaven  knows  I  One  thing  you  may  set 
your  mind  at  rest  about — she  doesn't  care  two  coppers  for 
me." 

"  Heavens  be  praised  for  that !  " 

l)isbr()W(;  stopped  in  his  excited  walk,  and  looked  at 
lilni,  as  well  he  might. 

I>[r.  De  Vere  liad  recovered  from  his  first  paroxysm  of 
horror  and  astonishment,  and  was  growing  calm. 

"  This  is  a  most  unfortunate  att'air — dreadfully  unfor- 
tunate— the  worst  thing  that  could  possibly  happen  I  and 
I  am  very  sorry  for  you,  my  dear  boy.  Yes  ;  you  nmst 
go — there  is  no  help  for  it ;  but  you  must  return  again, 
sometime — when  you  are  married!  " 

A  strange  sort  of  smile  flickered  around  Disbrowe's 
handsome  mouth ;  but  his  only  reply  was  a  slight  bow. 

"  Does  she — Jacquetta  I  mean — know  you  are  going  to- 
morrow ?  " 

"  Xo  sir." 

«  Will  you  tell  her  ?  " 

"  ^fost  assuredly,  sir ! "  said  Disbrowe,  haughtily. 
*'  You  do  not  suppose  I  am  going  to  steal  off  without  bid- 
ding her  good-by.     I  shall  see  her  to-morrow." 

"  My  dear  Alfred,  I  am  very  sorry,  and  I  know  you  feel 
this  deeply ;  but  believe  me,  Jacquetta  feels  it  just  as 
much  as  you  can  possibly  do." 

Disbrowe  thought  of  the  scene  in  Jacinto's  chamber, 
and  again  that  bitter,  mocking  smile  came  over  his  face. 

"  You  must  try  to  forget  her ;  you  must  try  to  be 
hi^ppy  ;  you  must  love  your  bride.     Will  you,  Alfred  ?  " 

"  I  will  try." 

"  Ood  bless  you,  my  dear  boy  !  I  could  find  it  in  my 
heart  to  keep  you  here  forever,  when  you  look  at  me  with 
your  dead  mother's  eyes.     And  so  you  go  to-morrcw  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir  ;  I  will  leave  here  for  New  York,  and  from 
there,  in  a  day  or  two,  will  start  for — " 

"  Merrie  England !  The  dear  old  land  that  I  long  to 
see  again." 

"  I  hope  to  see  you  at  Fontelle  Park,  sir — old  Fontelle," 
said  Disbrowe,  with  a  smile. 

"  Perhaps  I  may.  When  you  are  married,  I  will  bring 
Augusta,  and  come  over  to  see  you." 


A  QUKEN  UNCROWNED. 


185 


«  Do  so,  my  dear  uncle  ;  juid,  wliether  married  or  single, 
you  will  always  be  welcomed  with  a  true  heart  to  ilie  old 
home  of  the  De  Veres." 

"  I  know  it.  Give  my  love  to  Earneclitt'e  and  Lady 
Margaret.  I  sui)pose  you  will  be  Imsy  for  the  rest  of 
the  evening  ;  vso  I  will  not  detain  you." 

Disbrowe  left  the  library,  and  sought  his  o^\^l  room,  to 
arrange  his  affairs  l)cfore  starting.  It  oc{'U])ied  him  mitil 
the  supper-bell  rung  :  and  then  he  descended  the  stiiirs 
with  a  small  pain  at  his  heart,  as  he  thought  it  was  the 
last  time,  in  all  probability,  he  should  ever  hear  it. 

>^ either  Jacinto  nor  Jacquetta  appeared,  and  he  was 
glad  of  it.  He  could  not  bear  the  sight  of  either  very  well 
just  then ;  and  yet  he  would  not  for  worlds  have  gone 
away  witliout  seeing  the  latter.  He  loolced  forward  to 
that  last  meeting  with  something  of  the  same  feeling 
Avherewith  a  criminal  led  to  execution  might  look  his  last 
at  the  bright  sun,  and  beautiful  sky  and  smiling  earth, 
knowing  he  would  never  look  upon  them  in  the  world 
again. 

Frank  was  loud  in  his  lamentation,  and  Augusta  looked 
her  regret  at  losing  her  cousin ;  but  Disbrowe  sat  and 
listened  with  a  strange,  relentless  feeling  at  his  heart,  for 

"  Ever  close  and  near 

A  lady's  voice  was  in  his  ear." 

And  all  the  evening  he  watched  the  door  with  feverish 
impatience  for  her  coming,  starting  whenever  it  opened, 
and  sinking  back  with  a  sickening  feeling  of  disappoint- 
ment when  she  came  not. 

The  clock  struck  eleven  before  his  uncle  and  cousin 
left  the  drawing-room  that  evening ;  and  he  found  him- 
self alone  with  his  own  thoughts — angry  and  disap- 
pointed, in  spite  of  himself,  at  her  absence.  AVhat  if  he 
should  not  see  her  at  all  before  he  left?  He  strove  to 
persuade  himself  that  he  did  not  care — that  slie  was 
nothing  to  him  ;  he  thought  of  her  as  he  had  seen  her 
last ;  but  all  would  not  do.  The  thouglit  that  it  was 
the  very  last  time,  perhaps,  he  should  ever  see  her, 
softened  his  feelings.  She  rose  before  him  bright  and 
radiant,  as  he  had  first  seen  her,  standing  in  the  golden. 


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THE  DARK  SECRET. 


glory  of  the  bright  morning  sunshine ;  and  he  could  re- 
member nothing  but  that  he  loved  her  with  all 
his  lieart,  and  was  about  to  lose  her  forever.  With 
something  like  a  groan,  he  sat  down  by  the  table,  and 
dropped  his  head  on  his  arm  ;  and  for  more  than  an  hour 
he  sat  there,  as  still  and  motionless  as  if  death  had 
stiJled  forever  that  impulsive  heart.  Proud  he  had  been 
called,  and  proud  he  was,  too ;  but  he  felt  humble  enough 
now. 

Dear  reader,  you  may  think  him  inconsistent;  and 
perliaps  he  was.  Ikit  just  remember  the  time  you  were 
in  love  yourself,  and  had  to  bid  Sarah  Jane  or  Mary  Ann 
good-l)y  ;  and,  although  you  were  madly  jealous  of  her 
and  that  ferociously  good-looking  whiskered  jacknapes 
she  had  flirted  with  last,  how  dreadfully  bad  you  felt 
about  it,  and  how  ready  you  were  to  forgive  her  all,  and 
lay  your  head  in  her  mousseline  ile  laine  bosom  and  groan 
out  all  your  love  ai  d  repentance.  And  lovers  and 
lunatics  are  not  to  be  held  accountable  for  what  they  say 
and  do,  as  sane  people  like  you  and  I  are ;  and  so  poor 
Alfred  Disbrowe  thought,  and  nobody  contradicted  him ; 
but,  in  spite  of  his  prospective  coronet,  and  hundred 
thousand  a  year,  he  was  the  most  miserable,  forlorn 
young  Briton  in  existence. 

He  took  no  heed  of  passing  time,  as  he  lay  there  ;  he 
onl}?^  remembered  that  it  was  the  last  night  he 
was  to  pass  under  the  same  roof  with  Jacquetta  and  that 
thought  brought  with  it  the  bitterness  of  death.  So  he 
lay,  perfectly  motionless,  and  so  dead  to  all  outer  th.ngs, 
that  he  heard  not  the  door  softly  open,  nor  saw  the  light, 
delicate  figure  that  stood  in  the  doorway. 

It  was  Jacquetta,  paler,  perhaps,  than  usual,  but  with  a 
cold,  proud  look  on  her  face,  and  the  defiant  fire  still 
smoldering  in  her  dark  eye,  ready  to  blaze  up  again  at 
one  haughty  ivord  or  supercilious  tone.  There  was  that 
in  her  look,  half-shyness,  half  defiance,  such  as  shines 
through  the  wild  eyes  of  half-tamed  animals;  but  it 
softened  as  it  fell  on  that  prostrate  figure  and  young, 
grief- bowed  head.  A  pang  smote  her  heart  at  the  sight. 
There  was  something  so  forlorn  and  sorrowful  in  his 
attitude — so  touching  to  see  in  one  so  proud.     She  could 


i 

! 


A  QUEEN  UNCROWNED. 


187 


forget  his  taunts  and  bitter  words,  and  remember,  with 
a  still,  softening  heart,  that  she  was  the  cause,  and  that 
on  the  morrow  he  was  going  away  never  to  come  back. 
She  came  over,  and  one  little  white  hand  fell  softly  and 
tenderly  among  the  neglected  locks  of  his  rich  brown  hair. 

"  Dear  Alfred  !  "  she  said,  gently. 

He  looked  up,  and  the  last  trace  of  her  anger  faded 
away  at  the  sight  of  his  grieved  face  and  sad,  reproachful 
eyes. 

"  Oh,  Jacquetta  !  have  you  come  at  last  ?  " 

"Yes  ;  to  bid  you  good-by." 

"  You  know,  then,  I  am  going  away  ?  " 

«  Yes." 

"  And  you  are  glad,  no  doubt,"  he  said,  with  some  of 
his  old  bitterness. 

"  We  will  not  quarrel  again,  cousin  Alfred,  if  you 
please.  We  have  had  enough  of  that  for  one  while.  Let 
us  part  friends." 

"  Friends  we  never  can  be,  Jacquetta  !  " 

"I  am  sorry  for  it,"  she  said,  sadly. 

"  Something  far  more  or  something  far  less  we  must 
be  to  one  another.  As  cousins  we  may  part — never  as 
friends." 

"  You  will  think  differently  by-and-by ;  you  are  angry 
now." 

"Oh,  Jacquetta  !  I  wish  to  Heaven  I  had  rcver  come 
here  !  "  he  cried,  vehemently. 

"  It  is  useless  wishing  that  now.  It  might  have  been 
better  for  each  of  us  if  you  never  had  ;  but  what  will  be 
will  be." 

"  Oh,  Jacquetta  !  is  it  too  late  yet  ?  I  will  give  up  every 
thing  for  you  !  Perish  wealth  and  rank,  when  put  in  com- 
petition with  this  dear  hand  !  " 

"  Enough,  cousin  Alfred.  You  are  raving  again.  You 
say  we  cannot  part  friends ;  we  will  go  to  the  other  ex- 
treme and  i)art  enemies,  if  you  keep  on  like  this.  Be- 
tween you  and  Jacquetta  De  Vere  lies  a  gulf  as  wide  as 
that  between  Lazarus  and  Dives,  and  ^ust  as  impassable. 
I  will  not  see  you  to-morrow ;  so  I  have  come  to  bid  you 
good-by  and  God-speed  to-night." 


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THE  DARK  SECRET. 


She  held  out  her  hand  with  a  faint  smile.  He  took  it, 
and  dropped  his  hot  forehead  on  the  cool,  white  palm. 

"  And  it  all  ends  here,  Jacquetta." 

"Yes.  Is  it  not  a  better  ending  than  that  Grizzle 
Howlet  prophesied  ?  " 

He  started^  and  his  face  was  crimson. 

"  I  have  lived  in  a  trance  since  I  came  here — the 
pleasantest  one  I  ever  knew,  and  it  is  very  hard  this 
awaking.  Oh,  Jacquetta  !  I  never  knew  till  now  how  dear 
you  were  to  me  ! " 

"  You  will  forget  me  in  a  month." 

"  Never  1  "  he  almost  fiercely  exclaimed. 

"  You  will  laugh  at  this  in  three  months,  and  wonder 
you  could  ever  have  been  such  a — shall  I  say  it? — simple- 
ton.    See  if  I  am  not  a  true  prophet ! " 

He  dashed  her  hand  away,  and  sprung  to  his  feet. 

"  Jacquetta,  you  are  enough  to  drive  a  man  mad !  Your 
heart  is  as  hard  as  a  nether  mill-stone  !  You  have  no 
more  feeling  than  a  block  of  iron !  " 

She  smiled  slightly,  and  looKed  at  him  with  her  calm, 
gray  eyes. 

« Don't  look  at  me !  You  drive  me  frantic  with  your 
cold,  icy  eyes  1  Good  Heavens  !  that,  with  such  a  fire  in 
my  heart,  you  can  stand  before  me  such  an  iceberg ! " 

"  Ice  extinguishes  fire,  and  one  lunatic  is  enough  at  a 
time.     When  you  are  done  raving,  I  may  begin." 

"  And  this — this  is  what  I  have  loved  I  This  dead  heart 
— this  marble  statue — this  girl  of  ice — this — " 

«  Perfidious,  unfeeling,  abandoned  female  !  There,  I 
have  helped  you  out !  Now  stamp  up  and  down,  and  tear 
your  hair,  and  swear  till  all's  blue !  That's  the  way  they 
do  it  in  the  plays." 

"  Did  you  come  here  to  mock  me  ?  Am  I  an  idiot  in 
your  eyes  ?  "  he  asked,  passionately. 

"  Very  like  it,  I  must  confess,  at  this  present  moment. 
I  came  here  to  bid  you  farewell,  as  I  am  going  away  to- 
morrow morning,  and  will  not  see  you  again  ;  so,  if  you 
have  no  objection,  I  mil  sit  down  till  you  have  ranted 
yourself  back  to  your  sober  senses,  and  then  we  will  part 
as  decent  Christians  should," 

She  drew  an  elbow-chair  up  to  the  fire,  poked  it  up  un- 


A  QUEEN  UNCROWNED. 


189 


<ii 


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til  it  burned  out  in  a  great  sheet  of  flame,  and  then  putting 
two  little  slippered  feet  up  on  the  fender,  she  leaned 
her  elbow  on  the  arm  of  the  chair,  dropped  her  cheek  on 
her  hand,  yawned  wearily,  and  looked  in  the  fire. 

There  is  nothing  will  drive  one  frantic  sooner  than 
getting  into  a  passion  with  another,  and  seeing  them  sit 
as  serene  and  unmoved  as  a  wax  doll  before  us.  Dis- 
Drowe  was  like  one  insane  for  a  few  moments,  and  burst 
out  in  a  fierce  tirade,  in  which  "  cruel,  heartless,  un- 
womanly "  were  among  the  mildest  epithets  applied  to 
her,  but  she  listened  to  all  as  if  he  were  a  parrot  repeat- 
ing a  lesson.  At  last  he  got  exhausted,  and  flung  himself 
into  a  seat,  like  a  sulky  lion. 

"Well,  are  you  done?"  she  said, looking  up, and  yawn- 
ing behind  her  finger-tips.     "  I  want  to  go  to  bed." 

"  Go,  then  !  "  he  said,  bitterly. 

"  But,  won't  you  say  good-by  first  ?  " 

"  With  all  my  heart !  I  never  said  it  to  any  one  more 
gladly  ! " 

"  Well,  that's  pleasant  to  hear,  and  very  polite  on  your 
part,  too.  I  forgive  you  for  all  the  names  you  called  me, 
as  I  believe  I  gave  you  a  blowing-up  the  other  evening, 
and  it's  only  tit  for  tat.     So  good-by,  cousin  Alfred." 

She  got  up  and  held  out  her  hand. 

"  Good-by,"  he  said  coldly,  just  touching  the  tips  of  her 
white,  jeweled  fingers. 

"  Oh !  this  will  never  do  !  Shake  hands,  cousin." 

« I  had  rather  be  excused.  I  only  shake  hands  with, 
my  friends." 

«  And  I  am  never  to  be  placed  in  that  category.  Well, 
I  should  not  mind  that  much ;  but  I  hate  to  part  in  anger 
with  any  one  I  may  never  see  again.  Come  !  don't  display 
such  an  unchristian  feeling,  my  dear  Alfred !  Do  as  you 
would  be  done  by,  you  know  ;  and  if  that  does  not  move 
you,  remember  that  pathetic  little  canticle  of  the  excellent 
and  prosy  Watts,  beginning :  *  Let  dogs  delight  to  bark 
and  bite,'  and  just  apply  that  touching  passage,  *  Your 
little  hands  were  never  made  to  tear  each  other's  eyes'  to 
our  case,  and  I  am  sure  it  will  move  you,  since  it  might 
move  Mount  Vesuvius,  or  any  other  fiery  excrescence." 

"  We  are  too  civilized  for  anything  of  that  sort,  my  dear 


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190 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


cousin,"  he  said,  bitterly.  "  We  only  tear  each  other's 
hearts." 

«  Well,  being  children  of  a  larger  growth,  it  is  to  be 
expected  we  should  improve  in  the  act  of  torture.  But, 
cousin  Alfred,  I  am  tired  of  this  fencing ;  our  swords 
may  slip  cand  one  of  us  get  a  hard  blow.  liesides,  unro- 
mantic  as  the  confession  sounds,  I  am  dreadfully  sleepy. 
Once  more  farewell,  and  God  speed  you,  my  dear  cousin." 

Her  voice  faltered  a  little.  It  is  hard  to  say  good-by, 
even  to  an  everyday  acquaintance  whom  we  like ;  ])ut  oh  I 
very,  very  hard  to  one  we  love  1  He  saw  her  lip  quiver, 
and  it  mover'  him  as  nothing  else  could  have  done.  His 
anger  and  bitterness  all  vanished,  and  he  was  on  his  feet 
in  an  instant;  holding  both  her  hands  in  his,  and  saying, 
passionately : 

"  Jacquetta,  Jacquetta !  my  first,  my  last  my  only  love, 
good-by,  and  God  bless  you  I  I  have  been  mad  to  talk  to 
you  as  I  did.  My  dearest  love,  say  you  forgive  me  before 
we  part." 

"  I  forgive  you.     Let  me  go." 

Still  he  held  her.  A  fire  was  rising  in  his  eye,  a  flush 
was  rising  in  his  face.  She  looked  up,  and  quailed  in 
fear  before  that  glance. 

"  Let  me  go ! "  she  cried,  wildly ;  "  let  me  go,  sir 
What  do  you  mean  ?  " 

"  Jacquetta  !  " 

"  Are  you  mad.  Captain  Disbrowe  ?  Let  me  go,  I  com- 
mand you ! "  she  cried  with  a  passionate  stamp  of  her 
foot. 

"  Jacquetta  I " 

With  a  fierce  cry,  she  wrenched  her  hands  from  his 
grasp,  and  fled  to  the  door.  She  stood  there  for  one 
moment  like  a  wounded  stag  at  bay,  her  eyes  blazing, 
her  face  colorless,  panting,  frightened,  defiant.  He  did 
not  move ;  he  stood  like  a  statue. 

"  Once  more,  farewell,  and  hon  voyage ! "  she  said, 
waving  her  hand.  And  the  next  moment  the  sparkling 
little  vision  was  gone,  and  Captain  Alfred  Disbrowe  was 
alone. 


THE  STORY  IN  THE  I.ONE  INN. 


191 


.^    'i 


>» 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

TllK  STORY   IN   THE  LONE  INN. 

"  How  now,  you  secret,  black  and  midnight  hag, 
What  is't  you  do  ? "  Macbeth. 

That  same  night,  three  hours  earlier,  there  "  might  have 
been  seen,"  if  there  had  been  anybody  out  to  see,  which 
there  wasn't,  an  ancient  mariner  plodding  his  way  along 
the  lonesome  road  between  the  Mermaid  Tavern  and  the 
lone  inn.  The  night  was  dark,  and  the  road  was  bad,  but 
Captain  Nick  Tempest  had  a  supreme  contempt  for  muddy 
roads,  and  the  clerk  of  the  weather  ;  so,  witli  his  hands  in 
his  pockets,  and  a  plug  of  tol^acco  in  his  mouth,  his  tar- 
paulin cocked  on  one  side  of  his  head,  he  plunged  manfully 
along,  whistling  "  Barbara  Allen,"  as  he  went,  by  jerks, 
with  long  pauses  between  the  bars. 

Capttiin  Tempest  was  thinking — which  was  something 
he  was  not  in  the  habit  of  doing  as  a  general  thing,  being 
more  given  to  acting.  Old  Grizzle's  manner  the  night  be- 
fore had  implied  something  serious  ;  and  he  felt  intensely 
curious  to  know  what  revelations  she  had  to  make  to-night. 
That  it  was  something  important,  he  felt  convinced — for 
Grizzle  was  not  a  lady  to  make  a  mystery  of  trifles  ;  and 
moreover,  she  had  contrived  to  have  her  two  hopeful  sons, 
Kit  and  Blaize,  and  her  equally- hopeful  brother,  old  Till, 
sent  out  of  the  way,  that  she  and  the  commander  of  the 
"Fly-by-Night "  might  hold  their  nocturnal  Ute-<X-ttte 
undisturbed. 

Not  being  blessed  >vith  a  very  vivid  imagination,  how- 
ever, old  Nick  found  the  nut  too  hard  to  crack ;  and  so 
wisely  resolved  not  to  strain  his  teeth  trying  it,  but  to 
wait  until  time  and  his  fair  friend  should  see  tit  to  extract 
the  kernel. 

Having,  with  much  pain  and  labor,  come  to  this  philoso- 
phical conclusion  at  last.  Captain  Nick  steered  contentedly 
along,  with  that  rolling  motion  peculiar  to  marine  gentle- 
men, like  a  ship  on  an  uneasy  swell.  Plunging  resolutely 
through  the  wet  level  where  the  old  house  stood,  he 
reached  it  at  last ;  and,  giving  a  tremendous  knock,  began 


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192 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


yelping  like  a  whipped  cur.  Evidently  this  was  a  sort  of 
signal,  for  the  sound  of  bolts  withdrawing,  followed  in- 
stantly. The  door  swung  open,  and  the  pleasant  face  of 
old  (irizzle  Ilowlet  beamed  on  him  by  the  light  of  the 
lantern. 

"  (iood-night,  my  chick-a-leary !  Punctuality  is  the  soul 
of  time,"  said  the  captain,  in  a  hazy  recollection  of  some 
proverb.  "How  do  you  find  yourself  this  morning,  my 
sweet  pet  ?  Blooming  and  beautiful  as  the  Goddess  of 
Morning,  as  usual,  I  see." 

"  Tliere  was  a  time  when  you  thought  me  blooming 
enough,"  said  the  woman,  in  a  harsh  voice,  as  she  secured 
the  door  ;  "  when  you  would  have  shot  any  other  man  for 
even  looking  at  me  !  " 

"  Ah  !  every  one  is  a  fool  some  time  in  their  life,"  said 
the  captain,  flinging  himself  into  a  chair  before  the  kitchen 
fire,  and  stretching  out  his  legs  to  tlie  genial  heat.  "  Not 
that  I  would  insinuate  I  made  a  fool  of  myself  in  that 
blessed  and  verdant  time  of  youth  :  for  you  are  a  second 
Helen,  for  whom  another  Troy  might  be  lost.  '  Great  is 
.'^ianaof  the  Ephesians!'  but  greater  still  is  Grizzle  rf 
New  Jersey  !     Got  any  beer?" 

"  Yes  ;  take  it,"  said  the  ^voman,  ungraciously,  pointing 
to  a  jug  and  a  pewter  pot  on  the  table.  "  There's  a  pipe, 
too,  if  you  want  it." 

"  It's  just  exactly  what  I  do  want.  Ah  !  that's  prime 
stuff !  "  said  the  captain,  smacking  his  lips.  "  It  reminds 
me  of  the  bottles  of  'alf-and-'alf  we  used  to  drink  in  the 
green-room  of  Old  Drury,  between  the  scenes.  Do  you 
remember  those  blissful  times,  my  beauty  ?  " 

"Yes,  better  than  I  want  to,"  said  Grizzle,  almost 
savagely,  as  she  sat  on  a  low  stool,  and  with  her  elbow  on 
her  knees,  and  her  chin  between  her  hands,  looked 
gloomily  in  the  fire.  "  I'm  not  likely  to  look  at  you  and 
forget  them."    • 

,     '  "  And  here's  a  han'  my  trusty  frien*, 

And  gie's  a  ban'  o'  thine, 
We'll  tak'  a  right  gude-willie  waucht  , 

For  the  days  o'  auld  lang  syne," 

sung  the  captain,  jocosely,  as  he  resumed  his  seat,  and 
leisurely  proceeded  to  fill  his  pipe. 


THE  STORY  IN  THE  I.ONE  INN. 


193 


lost 
on 
[ed 
md 


"  That*s  so,  old  friend.     ^Vb  !  those  were  the  days  I " 

"I  am  glad  you  think  so  well  of  them.  Yoxi  gave  me 
cause  to  remember  them  after  another  fashion." 

A  grim  smile  broke  over  the  face  of  the  captain,  as  he 
pushed  up  his  hat,  which  he  considered  it  a  superfluous 
piece  of  ceremony  to  take  off ;  and,  having  unbuttoned 
his  coarse  pea-jacket  and  thrown  it  o]>en,  he  blew  a  few 
whift's  of  smoke  to  get  his  pipe  in  good  going  order,  and 
leisurely  replied  : 

"  I  believe  1  di<l  act  kind  of  ugly  about  that  business  ; 
but  you  see,  my  love,  man  is  naturally  fickle,  and  Captain 
Nick  Tempest  particularly  so.  What  does  our  old  ac- 
quaintance, Shakspeare — glorious  Will — say? 

'  Trust  not  to  man — we  are  by  nature  false, 
Dissembling,  cruel,  subtle,  and  inconstant. 
When  a  man  talks  of  love,  with  caution  trust  him  ; 
But  if  he  swears,  he'll  certainly  deceive  thee.' 

And  I  was  ready  to  swear,  you  know,  that  fair  was  foul  and 
foul  was  fair,  for  your  sake,  at  one  time.  It  is  wonder-ful 
how  soon  I  got  over  that  short  brain-fever." 

"  Yes ;  when  a  prettier  face  came  between,"  said  the 
woman,  bitterly.  "  Don't  scowl,  Nick  Tempest !  The 
day  has  gone  by  when  I  feared  your  frown  !  " 

"  Did  you  ever  fear  it  ?  " 

"  No  need  to  ask  that  question  ;  you  know  too  well  I 
didn't  dare  to  call  my  soul  my  own.  Thank  Heaven  I  am 
not  the  only  woman  in  the  world  who  has  been  de- 
ceived ! " 

"  A  charitable  thanksgiving !  "  said  the  captain,  with  a 
sneer.  "You  didn't  bring  me  here,  I  hope,  to  talk 
maudlin  sentiment  of  by-gone  days.  *  Let  the  dead 
bury  their  dead.'  It's  devilish  hard  to  rekindle  black 
ashes." 

"  Don't  fear.  I  have  no  more  wish  to  recall  the  past  than 
you  have.  Yet  it  may  be  necessary  to  allude  to  it  more 
than  once  to-night." 

A  dark,  sinister  smile  was  on  her  face,  and  her  evil 
eyes  gleamed  red  and  hot  in  the  light  of  the  fire. 

"  Well,  fire  away,  my  duck  I  My  feelings  are  none  of 
the  tenderest,  or  most  sensitive,"  said  the  captain,  smok- 
ing severely. 


•I'l 


«■'    r     Ui 


Illll 


I  i!l 


194 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


"Then  you  have  changed  since  a  certain  day,  some 
years  ago,  if  you  remenil)er.  There  was  a  name  then  you 
did  not  exactly  covet  hearing."      ~ 

"  You  mean  Lelia.     I've  got  nicely  over  that." 

"  I  am  glad  to  hear  it.  Then  you  will  not  obj(?ct  to 
my  alluding  to  her  a  little?  " 

"  What  do  you  want  to  allude  to  her  for?  What's  the 
use  of  raking  up  plague-pits?" 

"  I  never  do  anything  without  an  object,  as  you  will 
discover  Ix^fore  I  have  done.  I  have  sent  for  you  to  tell 
you  a  short,  and,  I  flatter  myself,  not  uninteresting  story, 
to-night." 

The  captain  stared. 

"  ^\  story — \Niiat  the  dickens  ?  You  have  not  taken 
leave  of  your  senses,  have  you  V" 

"  Not  exactly  !     Are  you  ready  to  listen  ?  " 

"  All  right — heave  ahead." 

The  woman  glanced  askance  at  him,  as  he  sat  smoking, 
the  very  picture  of  composure — an  evil,  mocking  glance ; 
and  then,  dropping  her  voice  in  the  monotonous  mono- 
tone of  a  true  story-teller,  she  l)egan  : 

"Once  upon  a  time,  in  a  certain  theatrical  corps,  of  a 
certain  theatre  in  Old  England,  there  was  a  leading  actress, 
a  young  girl,  who  did  the  heavy-tragedy  business,  and  was 
one  of  the  bright  particular  stars  of  the  day — she  was  not 
very  handsome,  this  girl ;  but  when  she  trod  the  boards, 
and  her  voice  rung  through  the  house,  peox)le  forgot  her 
looks,  and  thundero  of  applause  shook  the  building  from 
pit  to  ceiling.  Night  after  night,  when  she  appeared  as 
Lady  Macbeth,  Jeamie  d'Arc,  Catherine  De  Medicis,  and  a 
score  of  other  dark,  fierce  characters,  into  which  she  could 
throw  all  the  fire  and  passion  of  her  nature,  his  her 
name  been  shouted  until  the  dense  public  were  hoarse ; 
and  flowers  and  bouquets,  and  jewels  sometimes,  have 
rained  down  on  the  stage,  until  you  could  not  step  for 
trampling  on  them ;  and  this  tragic  muse,  this  new 
Melpomene  became  the  toast  of  the  day." 

"  ?self- praise  is  no  recommendation,"  muttered  the  cap- 
tam. 

"  Peers  of  the  land  knelt  at  her  feet  with  offers,  which 
she  spurned,  as  she  did  these  who  made  them — spurned 


cap- 

Lich 
:ned 


THE  STORY  IN  THE  LONE  INN. 


195 


them  with  fierce,  iiulomittihle  pride,  until  all  London  Lad 
to  resjxict,  as  well  us  praise  her.  Offers  of  marriage  were 
made  her,  too,  from  men  over  wliose  eyes,  and  hrains,  and 
h(;iirts,  her  aetinp^cast  a  glamour,  like  the  fatal  song  of  the 
fabled  syren — otters  she  onee  never  dr»?amedof  reeeiving; 
and  yet  she  siairned  them,  too.  And  why  did  she  do  so? 
—tell  me  wii y  ?  " 

And  the  woman  turned  fiercely  round  on  the  stoical 
ca])tiiin. 

"  Ah  !  just  so !  Why,  the  deuce  only  knows,"  said  that 
worthy  mariner,  witli  an  expressive  shrug. 

"  You  know,  which  amounts  to  the  same  thing !  There 
was  a  young  actor  attached  to  the  same  company — not 
nuu/h  nott'd  for  his  l)cauty,  nor  his  dramatic  talent;  a 
wild,  reckless,  devil-may-care  sort  of  a  desperado — fierce 
as  a  Bedouin  of  the  desert — feaiv^l  hy  all,  and  loved  by 
none." 

"  My  dear,  you  flatter,"  said  Captain  Nick,  with  a  look 
of  mock  humility. 

"  Loved  hy  none,  did  I  say  ?  Ah,  yes !  there  was  one 
— more  fool  she — who  loved  him  with  all  her  heart,  with 
all  her  soul — would  have  sold  herself  to  8atan  to  win 
one  smile  from  him.  A  woman's  heart  is  a  strange  riddle, 
since  even  she  herself  cannot  read  it." 

"  That's  so !  "  said  the  captain,  emphatically. 

"  This  actress,  who  had  refused  so  many  better,  richer, 
handsomer  men,  stooped  to  love  him — how  well,  there  is 
no  need  to  tell  now.  And  he — he  discovered  it.  She  w^as 
not  one  to  keep  such  a  secret,  she  had  hot  blood  in  her 
veins — hot  blood  that  had  descended  to  her  through  fiery 
channels." 

"  So  had  he,"  said  the  captain,  with  a  laugh ;  "  and 
there  is  an  old-country  saying,  that  *  butter  to  butter  is  no 
kitchen.' " 

"  lie  was  proud  of  it — he  might  well  be  ;  for  it  elevated 
him  from  the  nobody  he  was  before,  into  an  object  almost 
of  equal  interest  with  herself.  She  was  rich,  and  she 
shared  her  wealth  with  him ;  and  he  took  her  money  and 
led  a  life  of  riot  and  wildest  debauchery,  spending  it  like 
water  from  the  clouds." 

Captain  Nick  preceptibly  winced. 


¥ 


f* 


!       I 


I.M 


11'' 


196 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


**  He  said  ho  loved  her,  and  she  believed  him — poor 
fool  I  Perhaps  he  thought  he  did  ;  but  at  all  events,  he 
loved  her  money  and  the  reputation  he  had  gained  Ijy 
having  his  name  linked  with  hers.  And  it  was  all  ar- 
ranged that  they  were  to  be  married  as  soon  as  her  engage- 
ment was  ended,  and  travel  in  the  Continent.  She  did 
not  entirely  disiipi)rove  of  his  wild  coui'ses  :  women  rather 
like  men  who  have  the  reputation  of  being  harum-scarum 
dare-devils ;  but  she  thought  he  carried  things  to  excess 
— more  especially  as  he  sometimes  stooped  to  robbeiy — 
even  to  robbing  the  dead.  Oncie  her  husband,  she  thought 
she  could  have  reformed  him  a  little;  and  that,  having 
sown  his  wild  cats,  he  would  settle  down  and  leave  the 
crop  to  the  birds  of  the  air." 

"  Humph  ! "  said  the  captain. 

"  It  is  doubtful  whether  she  would  have  succeeded — 
the  demon  had  too  strong  a  hold  of  him  for  that ;  but, 
at  all  events,  she  was  spared  the  trouble.  A  young  ballet 
girl  of  surpassing  beauty  appeared — a  young  French  girl, 
only  known  as  Lelia — poor  as  a  church-mouse,  and,  rumor 
said  no  better  than  she  ought  to  be." 

"  Rumor  lied  there  !  She  was  the  peer  of  the  actress, 
in  these  days,  on  that  point !  "  said  Captain  Tempest, 
calmly. 

"  Perhaps  so  ;  her  after-actions  showed  it !  Well,  this 
young  actor  saw  her,  and  a  powder-magazine,  when  a 
lighted  torch  is  thrown  in  it,  could  not  quicker  or  more 
fiercely  go  off,  than  did  he  after  Mademoiselle  Lelia." 

"  Just  like  him  ?  He  always  had  a  nasty  habit  of  going 
up  like  a  rocket  and  coming  down  like  a  stick,"  said  the 
captain,  with  a  half  chuckle. 

"  I  do  not  suppose  she  loved  him — I  am  pretty  sure  she 
did  not ;  but  she  wanted  to  get  married,  and  she  thought 
by  his  way  of  living  he  had  plenty  of  money.  And  so  he 
had ;  but  the  generous,  noble-hearted  youth  I  it  was  her 
money  that  he  was  spending  so  riotously — she  who  was 
fool  enough  to  trust  him,  and  believe  in  him  implicitly." 

"  What  is  the  good  of  ripping  up  these  old  sores  ?  I 
wish  you  would  get  done,  Grizzle  ! "  said  Captain  Nick, 
impatiently. 

She  smiled  sardonically. 


L'     1 


was 


TH^  -70RY  IN  THE  I.ONE  INN. 


197 


"llave  pationro.  Tarn  only  heginninpf !  T  hope  you 
like  tlie  story,  Nick.     I  see  you  recognize  the  characters/* 

"  You  he  hanged !  "  growh'd  the  capt;iin,  twisting  un- 
easily under  her  piercing  guze. 

"  Perhaps  I  may  some  <lay,  and  you  too,  if  the  gal- 
lows g(;ts  its  due.  Let  us  live  in  hope.  Well,  as  I 
was  saying,  tla;  actor  and  the  halli't-girl  fell  in  love  with 
each  other — or  we  will  supjjose  so — and  the  result  of  it 
was  an  elopement  and  a  marriage,  lioth  were  heggars, 
with  no  way  in  the  world  of  earnnig  tiieir  salt;  so  you 
see  what  a  pair  of  idiots  they  were." 

"  Yes  ;  I  can  see  through  a  hole  in  a  ladder  as  well  as 
any  one." 

"  The  actress  heard  it,  and  people  expected  a  scene;  hut 
they  were  disiippointed.  She  might  have  heen  a  little  more 
fierce  and  passionate  that  night,  i>laying  Lady  IVhicheih, 
but  nothing  more.  She  was  one  of  those  who  could  <lio 
and  make  no  sign.  And  yet,  would  you  helieve  it,  though 
her  eyes  were  dry,  her  heart  shed  tears  of  l)h)od !  She 
tore  ott'  her  velvet  robe  and  glittering  jewels  that  night, 
in  the  silence  of  her  own  room  ;  she  tore  her  flesh,  and 
writhed  like  one  seared  with  red  hot  iron — the  fool,  the 
idiot,  the  bedlamite,  the  besotted  lunatic  I  " 

"Upon  my  soul.  Grizzle  I  "  exclaimed  the  captain,  "you 
are  the  best  hand  to  abuse  yourself  I  ever  heard.  If  any- 
body  called  me  half  these  names,  I  would  be  inclined  to 
knock  them  into  the  middle  of  next  week — if  not 
further." 

"  I  deserve  it  all  I  I  was  what  so  many  others  of  my 
sex  are  for  the  same  cause  every  day — a  blind  fool  I  But 
I  will  never  get  to  the  end  of  'uy  story  if  you  continue 
throwing  in  those  marginal  notes  of  yours.  To  have  done 
business  up  perfectly,  I  am  aware  this  actress  ought  to 
have  died  of  a  broken  heart,  and  '  out  of  her  bosom  there 
grew  a  red  rose,  and  out  of  his  bosom  a  brier,'  etc. ;  but 
that  was  not  in  her  line.  What  do  you  suppose  she  did, 
when  she  found  herself  deserted  ?  " 

"  Consoled  herself  with  somebody  else." 

"  Right  I  She  accepted  the  very  first  offer  she  got  after- 
ward, and  married  an  unfortunate  little  anatomy  she  could 
have  doubled  up  and  put  in  her  pocket  if  she  chose.    She 


(     I 


'       '1 


I         1 


'i 
m 


1     f 

1 

J 

198 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


did  it  for  tv/orersons:  first,  to  let  people  see  how  little 
she  thought  of  his  desertion  :  and  second,  to  have  a  hus- 
band she  could  govern,  and  who  would  do  exactly  as  she 
told  him." 

"  Poor  little  Luke  Howlett !  "  laughed  the  captain.  "  I 
always  did  pity  him.  It's  a  mercy  they  took  him  up 
above  as  soon  as  they  did." 

"  She  found  out  that  her  false  lover  a:id  his  bride  had 
started  for  the  new  refuf/ium  peccatoruni — America;  and 
she  followed  them  with  her  little  tom-tit  of  a  husband.  In 
New  York  they  met,  and  a  rather  singular  meeting  it  was. 
The  gay  dectiver  was  not  quite  as  wide-awake  at  that 
time  as  he  is  to-day ;  and  the  serene  face  and  pleasant 
smiles  of  his  forsaken  lady-love  completely  deceived  him, 
and  he  imagined  himself  entirely  forgiven.  The  stupid 
dough-head  !  to  think  such  a  woman  would  ever  forgive 
such  a  vi  rong  !  " 

"  Come,  my  beauty,  don't  turn  the  tables,  and  begin  to 
abuse  me  instead  of  yourself.  I  can't  atand  too  much  of 
that  sort  of  thing,  you  know." 

*•  Before  the  honeymoon  was  over,  our  turtle-doves 
found  it  was  one  thing  co  talk  about  livhig  on  love,  and 
another  to  do  it.  Lelia's  pretty  face  and  bright  curls 
were  doubtless  very  nice  things  in  their  way  ;  but  bread 
and  butter  were  a  good  deal  more  substantial  in  the  end 
— and  so  her  young  husband  found.  To  labor,  he  was  not 
able — to  beg,  he  was  ashamed.  So  he  split  the  difl'erence 
and  went  to  sea." 

A  shade  fell  on  Captain  Tempest's  face.  Grizzle  looked 
up  with  a  smile,  and,  after  a  pause,  went  on : 

"Will  you  mind  me  maldng  a  jump,  and  skipping  over 
six  years?  Our  new-born  sailor  still  continued  cruising 
about,  and,  wlien  lie  came  home,  still  continued  as  ab- 
surdly fond  of  his  pretty  wife  as  ever,  and  quite  doted  on 
his  bright  little  five-year-old  daughter.  Ah  !  you  flinch  I 
Do  you  begin  to  feel  the  screws  tightening?"  r 

"Goon,"  he  said  defiantly.       ^   ■,       ^       ,  , 

"Wei?,  one  day  he  went  to  sea,  and  was  wrecked 
somewhere  on  the  coast  of  Cuba,  and  all  hands  were  lost 
but  himself.  You  know  the  adage :  *  Born  to  be  hanged 
will  never  be  drowned.'     So  you  will  not  wonder  at  that. 


THE  STORY  IN  THE  LONE  INN. 


199 


He  was  picked  up  by  a  private  vessel,  and  would  you  be- 
lieve it  ? — eleven  years  passed  before  he  came  back." 

Something  like  a  groan  came  from  the  lips  of  the  cap- 
tain. 

"  But  come  he  did  at  last — a  weather-beaten,  scarred, 
prematurely -old  man.  And  where  do  you  think  he  found 
his  wife  and  child?" 

"  You  hag  of  Hades  !  I  may  thank  you  perhaps,  for  it 
aU." 

"You  may.  But  for  me  she  would  never  have  ran 
away." 

"  You  she-fiend !    Are  you  not  afraid  I  will  brain  you  ?  " 

"No!" 

"  By  the  heavens  above  us  I  if  you  had  made  that  con- 
fession six  yefirs  ago,  you  would  not  have  lived  an  instant 
after  I  " 

"  But  I  did  not  make  it.  I  was  not  quite  a  fool !  Be 
calm,  and  let  me  go  on  with  my  story.  One  year  after 
her  husband  went  away — when  her  daughter  was  six 
years  old  (and  she  was  still  a  pretty,  dark-eyed,  bright- 
haired,  merry  French  girl) — a  young  foreigner — a  wild, 
rich,  young  Scotchman,  stopped  at  my  house.  He  was  a 
handsome  fellow,  dark-eyed,  merry,  bold  and  gallant — 
iust  the  one  to  take  a  lady's  eye — more  especially  such  a 
lady  as  our  pretty,  young  grass- widow." 

Captain  Nick  Tempest  ground  his  teeth  with  impotent 
rage. 

"  His  name  was  Randall  Macdonald — how  do  you  like 
it  ? — and  he  came  from  the  old  Macdonald  who  lived  and 
fought  in  the  days  of  Robert  the  Bruce.  I  introduced 
him  to  the  handsome  French  girl,  and  what — Captain 
Tempest,  my  good  friend — my  dear  friend — what  was 
the  result  ?  " 

"  You  cursed  hag  ! "  he  groaned,  through  his  clenched 
teeth. 

Such  a  bitter  sneer  as  was  on  her  dark  face — such  a 
bitter,  mocking,  deriding  sneer  I  Yet  she  looked  up,  and 
smiled  in  his  face. 

"  Voyages  across  the  ocean  were  slower  even  in  those 
days  than  they  are  now ;  and  our  handsome  Scotchman 
was  lonesome,  and  wanted  a  companion.     A  pretty  French 


^!M! 


tw=.i 


i' 


'-■         I; 


II     !. 


200 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


woman,  gay  and  piquant,  was  just  the  thing ;  and  the 
young  gentleman  was  not  one  to  be  backward  in  offering 
her  an  invitation.  I  urged  her  to  accept  it.  I  promised 
to  be  a  mother  to  little  Lelia,  and  the  result  of  our  com- 
bined entreaties  was,  that  Captain  Tempest  came  from 
sea  one  morning,  and  found  himself  minus  a  wife." 

She  broke  into  a  laugh — a  low,  sneering  laugh,  un- 
speakably insulting. 

"  I  changed  little  Lelia's  name,  and  gave  her  my  second 
one ;  and,  und'  r  my  motherly  care,  she  reached  the  age 
of  thirteen.  Then — but  never  mind  that  Lelia  :  we  must 
follow  the  fortunes  of  the  other.  Randall  Macdonald  was 
fond  of  a  roving  life,  and  he  and  madame  had  rather  a  pleas- 
ant time  of  it,  cruising  round  the  world.  Six  years  after 
his  American  escapade,  his  eldest  brother  died,  and  the 
family  estate  fell  to  him.  The  day  that  brought  him  the 
news  saw  Lelia  cold  and  dead — of  disease  of  the  heart. 
She  had  died  caressing  her  little  daughter — his  child — 
without  a  moment's  warning.  No  wonder  you  never  could 
find  her  when  you  went  to  search  for  her.  You  would 
have  to  dive  a  long  way  down  under  the  waves  of  the 
lonesome  sea  to  find  the  pretty  form  of  Lelia  Tempest." 

He  made  a  fierce  gesture  as  if  casting  something  from 
him,  and  drew  a  long,  hard  breath. 

"  Let  her  go  !  That  is  the  last  of  her  !  But  my  child, 
woman — my  daughter — my  little  Lelia  I  what  of  her  ?  " 

The  woman  laughed  scornfully,  and  stirred  the  fire. 

"  Speak  !  I  tell  you  !  Speak  I  1  command  you !  "  he 
cried,  fiercely.     "  You  have  not  dared  to  kill  her  ?  " 

"  Kill  her  ?     Oh,  no.     That  would  be  poor  revenge  I " 

"You  Satan  !   where  is  my  child ?  " 

"  Don't  fer.r  ;  she  is  alive,  and  well."  ■ 

He  got  up,  white  with  eagerness. 

"  Woman,  tell  me  where  she  is ! " 

"  It  is  easy  told — if  I  choose  I  " 

"  Grizzle,  for  the  sake  of  old  times — for  the  sake  of 
that  is  past  and  gone,  let  me  see  her — my  little  Lelia  I 

She  looked  at  liim  in  scornful  surprise,  and  broke  into 
a  deriding  laugh. 

"  You  to  speak  of  what  is  past  and  gone  ! — you  to  ex- 
hort me  by  that  I    The  man  hu  ^j  gone  mad  I  " 


all 


)» 


THE  STORY  IN  THE  I^ONE  INN. 


20I 


"  You  she-devil !  speak  I  or  I  will  tear  it  out  of  your 
foul  throat  I" 

"  Try  it !  " 

"  Can  nothing  move  you  ?  My  little  Lelia  I  Oh, 
Grizzle  I  can  nothing  move  you ! " 

"  Nothing  you  can  say !  Sit  down ;  calm  yourself,  and 
you  will  hear  all  in  due  time.  Perhaps  you  will  not 
think  'my  little  Lelia,  such  a  priceless  jewel  when  you  do 
find  her!" 

"  What  do  you  mean  ?  Grizzle  Howlet,  what  have  you 
done  with  that  child  ?  " 

There  was  something  so  terrific  in  his  look  and  tone  at 
that  moment,  that  she  almost  shrunk  before  it. 

"  Nothing  very  dreadful,"  she  said,  angrily.  "  Sit 
down,  I  tell  you,  or  I  won't  speak  another  word  to-night. 
What  if  you  were  to  hate  your  daughter  when  I  name 
her?" 

"  There  is  some  dark  meaning  hid  under  this.  Grizzle 
Howlet,  has  her  mother's  fate  been  hers  ?  " 

She  laughed. 

"  Oh,  no  I  Can  you  conceive  nothing  wor."e  than  that  ? 
Her  mother  loved  and  Avas  beloved — in  a  sort  of  a  way.  I 
dare  say  she  was  happy.'' 

His  face  worked,  and  his  hands  clenched.  One  fair 
spot  remained  still  in  that  blacli  heart — love  for  his  child. 
But  for  how  long  ? 

"  Will  you  tell  me?  "  he  said,  in  a  strained  voice. 

"  To  be  sure.  That  is  what  I  have  been  coming  to,  all 
along.     She  is  a  fine  lady." 

"Well!" 

"  You  have  seen  her — spoken  with  her  I  " 

"  Did  she  know  me  ?  " 

«No." 

"  Where  does  she  live  ? '' 

"  Here — in  New  Jersey." 

"  Well,  go  on.     I  cannot  bear  this ;  you  are  torturing 


me. 


?» 


"  I  will  be  merciful  then.  You  were  to  me,  you  know ! 
Do  you  remember  a  scene  that  occurred  some  thirty  miles 
from  here,  one  evening,  among  the  mountains,  when  you 


m 


u  , 


I'-. 


t 


ft 


I  . 


202 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


tried  to  send  a  certain  handsome  young  Englishman  to  his 

long  account  ?  " 

"  Yes." 

«  A  young  girl — a  bold,  pretty  little  thing — red-haired 
and  gray-eyed,  like  somebody  else  we  know  of — inter- 
posed— saved  him,  disarmed  you,  and  sent  you  off,  with 
a  lecture?" 

**  Yes ;  curse  her  I    I  will  be  avenged  for  that  I " 

"  Softly — softly,  captain,"  said  Grizzle,  with  her  dark 
smile.     "  Wait  until  you  hear  who  she  is,  first." 

"  Who  is  she  ?" 

"  Do  you  know  that  my  name  is  Grizzle  Jacquetta  ?  " 

"Well?" 

"  Well,  I  changed  Lelia  into  Jacquetta,  one  day.  It 
was  easily  done,  and  without  troubliii  -;  the   Legislature." 

He  leaped  to  his  feet  with  a  cry.  She  arose,  too,  and 
confronted  him. 

**  Grizzle  Howlet,  is  she — " 

"  She  loas  Lelia  Tempest  onoe ;  she  is  Jacquetta  De 
Vere,  now,  and  your  daughter  !  " 


CHAPTER  XVIL 


THE  K^D  OF  THE    STORY. 


"  Such  a  mad  marriage  never  was  before.  " 

—Taming  of  the  Shrew. 

There  is  but  one  step — a  very  short  one — between 
love  and  hatred.  In  all  these  years  of  crime,  and  daring 
and  darkest  guilt,  the  memory  of  his  lost  child — his  lit- 
tle bright-eyed,  sunny-faced  Lelia — had  ever  lain  vmrm 
and  fair  near  his  heart ;  the  only  fair  spot,  perhaps,  in  all 
that  dark  nature.  He  had  thought,  all  along,  that  her 
mother  had  taken  her  with  her  in  her  guilty  flight ;  but 
he  knew  little  of  the  revenge  Giizzle  Howlet  was  capable 
of.  He  never  dreamed  of  doubting  her  story  tor  a 
moment — he  felt  it  to  be  true,  every  word ;  and  in  that 
instant  all  his  love  for  tlie  little  bright-faced  child  was 
swept  away,  like  a  whiff  of  down  in  the  blast ;  and  hatred 
of  the  daring,  imperious  youpg  girl,  who  had  conquered 


THE  END  OF  THE  STORY. 


203 


him,  took  its  place.  He  felt  that  she  despised  and  looked 
down  upon  him,  her  father,  although  slie  knew  it  not ; 
and  a  savage,  demoniacal  longing  to  drag  her  down  to 
his  own  level,  filled  all  his  thoughts.  She  was  his 
daughter ;  no  one  had  such  a  right  to  her  as  he  had.  He 
hated  the  De  Veres,  and  this  dashing  adopted  daughter 
of  theirs.  What  a  glorious  thing  it  would  be  now  to 
tear  her  from  them — to  pull  her  from  her  pedestal — to  show 
her  to  tlie  world  as  Captain  Nick  Tempest's  daughter  I 
He  felt  a  little  proud  of  her,  too ;  he  exulted  in  the 
thought  that  she  had  her  father's  heart,  and  all  his 
daimtless  courage ;  and  he  felt  he  could  freely  forgive 
Grizzle  Howlet  all  she  had  done  for  the  revenge  she  had 
placed  within  his  grasp  now. 

A  fierce,  grim  smile — the  smile  of  a  demon  bearing 
away  a  lost  soul — broke  over  his  dark  face.  He  looked 
up,  and  met  Grizzle  Howlet's  piercing  eyes  fixed  full 
upon  him. 

"Well?  "she  said,  curiously. 

He  stretched  out  his  hand,  still  smiling : 

"  I  forgive  you.  Grizzle !  There  is  my  hand  on  it !  This 
repays  me  for   all." 

"  rou  believe  me  ?  "  she  said.    - 

"  Yes ;  I  think  you  are  telling  me  the  truth.  I  feel  that 
that  girl  is  my  daughter  !" 

"  She  is.  Word  for  word  what  I  have  said  is  true — 
true  as  Gospel.    Jacquetta  De  Vere  is  your  child !  " 

"  The  gods  be  praised  for  that  I  The  day  of  retribution  is 
atlmnd!" 

"  AYhat  are  you  going  to  do?"  said  Grizzle,  half- 
anxiously. 

He  sat  down,  resumed  liis  former  attitude  before  the 
fire,  with  that  evil  smile  still  on  his  face. 

"  You  will  see  I  But,  first,  have  you  accomplished  your 
revenge  ?" 

"  No !"  cried  Grizzle,  fiercely  dashing  her  hand  on  the 
mantel — "  no ;  that  I  have  not !  Until  Jack  De  Vere  lies 
despised  and  trodden  on  in  the  dust  under  my  feet,  my  re- 
venge will  never  be  satiated ! " 

"  What  has  she  done  to  you,  to  make  you  hate  her  so  ?  " 
said,  tlie  captain,  serenely. 


I  i 


n   I, 


mil 


% 


I 


■•'      'it 


I  ■'  ("^ 


204 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


«  Done  what  I  will  never  forgive,  if  I  were  dying  1 " 
almost  screamed  the  woman,  her  lion-passions  slipping 
their  leashes  for  a  moment.  "  I  hated  her,  first,  for  her 
mother's  sake — for  her  father's  sake.  I  hated  her  as  a 
child ;  for  she  never  could  endure  me,  even  when  I  was 
kindest  to  her.  I  hated  her  as  a  girl,  for  her  jibes  and 
taunts.  I  hate  her  as  a  woman,  for  her  scornful  pride 
and  haughty  disdain ;  and  hate  her  I  will,  to  my  dying 
day." 

"  You  would  have  suited  Doctor  Johnson.  Wasn't  it 
he  who  liked  a  *  good  hater  '  ?  Well,  I  don't  blame  you. 
She  is  a  provoking  little  miss  as  ever  lived,  I  have  no 
doubt.  So  hate  away,  my  beauty,  as  long  as  you  like, 
and  thank  the  Fates  there  is  no  lost  love." 

"  I  hate  the  De  Veres,  one  and  all,  with  their  arrogant 
pride  and  supercilious  contempt  for  all  of  inferior  birth, 
and  I  swear  to  make  them  feel  it.  I  have  done  so.  The 
proudest  of  them  all — the  flower  of  the  flock — lies  crushed 
and  bleeding  under  my  feet !  And  there  let  her  lie  till 
the  grave  claims  her  !  " 

"  Do  you  mean  that  haughty  young  empress,  Lady 
Augusta  ?  " 

"  Yes.  I  fancy  I  have  settled  her  haughtiness  for  her  I  *' 
said  the  woman,  with  a  short,  unpleasant  laugh. 

The  captain  looked  curious. 

"  What  has  she  done,  and  how  did  you  get  her  in  your 
power  ?    Is  she  an  adopted  daughter,  too  ?  " 

"  No ;  she  is  a  true  De  Vere,  body  and  soul  ! " 

"  Then  what  power  can  you  have  over  her  ?  There  is  a 
long  step  between  a  De  Vere  and  Grizzle  Howlet." 

"  I  have  seven-leag\ie  boots,  and  can  take  it.  Never 
you  mind.  Captain  Tempest.  Your  business  is  with  Miss 
Jack,  if  you  remember.  What  are  you  going  to  do,  now 
that  you  have  found  out  she  is  your  daughter?" 

"  Claim  her,  to  be  sure !  Think  of  a  father's  love,  and 
all  the  rest  of  it,  and  you  will  perceive  it  is  the  only 
course,"  said  the  captain,  with  a  laugh. 

"  Exactly.     But  how  will  you  prove  your  claim  ?  " 

"  You  will  come  with  me,  my  dear.  When  you  and  I 
lay  our  heads  together,  we  can  work  wonders." 

"  We  will,  in  this  case.     But  have  you  no  curiosity  to 


THE  END  OF  THE  STORY. 


205 


hear  how  she  ever  came  to  live  in  Fontelle  at  all,  or  to 
assume  their  name  ?  " 

"  A  great  deal.  But  you  have  a  disagreeable  way  of 
only  arswering  questions  when  you  like ;  so  I  did  not 
care  for  getting  a  rebuff." 

«  Then  listen  to  the  sequel.  I  hope  you  will  find  it 
quite  as  interesting  as  the  first  volume,  and  it  will  show 
you  what  a  woman  can  do  when  she  seeks  revenge  ;  and 
it  will  clear  up  a  certain  little  mystery  that  has  puzzled 
more  than  one  resident  in  Fontelle  Ilall.  Have  you  ever 
been  told  that  strange  sounds  were  sometimes  heard  in 
the  old  north  wing  of  that  building  ?  " 

"  Of  course.     Push  ahead." 

"  I  rather  fancy  they  have  startled  a  certain  young 
gentleman  resident  there  at  present.  And  that  reminds 
me,  you  have  no  particular  love  for  him  either.  Have 
you?" 

"  No,  by  Heaven  1 "  said  the  captain,  with  an  oath. 
"He  struck  me  once ;  and  that  is  an  insult  that  only  his 
heart's  blood  can  wipe  out !  " 

"  I  think  you  can  pierce  his  heart  in  an  easier  and  safer 
way,  and,  in  fact  kill  half  a  dozen  birds  with  one  stone. 
If  he  is  not  in  love  with  Miss  Jacquetta  De  Vere,  then  I 
know  nothing  of  the  tender  passion  ;  and,  being  as  proud 
as  Lucifer,  he  will  be  in  a  sweet  frame  of  mind  when  he 
finds  out  who  she  is.  Besides,  he  is  engaged  to  another 
young  lady.     Guess  whc  ?  " 

"  Plow  the  foul  fiend  can  I  guess  ?  or  what  do  I  care  ?  " 

"  A  great  deal,  if  you  knew  but  all.  The  lady's  name 
is  Miss  Norma  Macdonald." 

"  Macdonald  1  " 

"  Yes,"  said  Grizzle,  with  a  smile  ;  "  her  mother's  name, 
I  believe,  was  Mrs.  Lelia  Tempest,  if  you  feel  any 
uiterest  in  knowing  it." 

The  captain  gave  a  long,  wailing  whistle,  and  fell  back 
in  his  seat. 

"  He  is  engaged  to  marry  her,  and  is  in  love  with  your 
daughter ;  and  our  i)retty  Jacquetta  is  in  love  with  him. 
Oh  I  it  is  the  sweetest  kettle  of  fish,  all  through,  that 
ever  you  heard  of." 

"  And  it  will  be  a  death-blow  to  Don  Monsieur  Signor 


ih 


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2o6 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


I !  !>l 


Moustache  Whiskerando  ^/o  And  out  he  is  in  love  with 
old  Nick  Tempest's  daughter.  '  I  see,*  said  the  blind 
man.  Tol  de  rol,  de  rol,  de  rol !  "  sung  the  captain,  de- 
lighted. 

"Preserve  your  transports,  my  dear  friend,"  said 
Grizzle,  dryly.  "  Time  enough  for  them  when  you  stand 
face  to  ftice  with  the  future  loid  of  Guilford  and  Earne- 
cliffe.  Remember,  too,  that  though  the  old  spae-wife  of 
Worcestershire  prophesied  that  '  a  life  would  be  lost  be- 
twixt ye,'  she  did  not  say  which  was  to  lose  it.  So  Cap- 
tain Nick  Tempest  ha<l  better  take  a  fool's  advice,  and 
not  halloo  before  he  is  out  of  the  woods  1 " 

"  I  don't  fear  him.  Let  him  do  his  worst.  Oh,  this  is 
revenge  indeed  I  The  bullet  will  hip  them  all  todeatli — 
this  come-by-chance  of  Leila's  as  well  as  the  rest.'* 

"Don't  be  too  sure— he  will  marry  Aer." 

"  But,  you  say,  he  loves  Jacquetta." 

"  So  he  does ;  but  loving  does  not  always  imply  mar- 
riage. I  had  hoped  for  a  different  end  to  the  story,  but 
this  daughter  of  yours  is  made  of  more  sterling  stuff  than 
her,  and  is  not  to  be  had  for  tlie  asking.  No ;  the  Honor- 
able Alfred  De  Vere  Disbrowe  will  never  marry  her! 
He  wouldn't  if  he  could,  and  couldn't  if  he  would." 

"Two  very  good  reasons.  I  should  like  to  see  this 
daughter  of  Lelia's." 

A  queer  laugh  broke  from  Grizzle's  lips.  Captain 
Tempest  looked  at  her  in  surprise. 

«  Are  you  sure  you  never  have  ?  " 

"Eh?" 

"  Do  you  really  think  you  have  never  seen  Miss  Norma 
Macdonald  ?  " 

"  Well,  I  can't  say.  I  may  have  done  so  without  know- 
ing it,  while  knocking  about  this  jolly  old  world." 

"  Ah,  just  so  I  "  said  Grizzle,  carelessly,  poking  the  fire. 
"  By  the  way,  Captiiin  Tempest,  where  is  that  little  Span- 
iard you  brought  over  with  you  the  other  day  ?  '* 

**  Now  you  are  off  on  another  track.  What  the  demon 
makes  you  ask  after  him  ?  " 

"  Oh,  nothing !     I  felt  curious  to  know — that's  all." 

"  Well,  he's  at  Fontelle,  if  I  don't  mistake,  I  winged 
him  that  evening  I  met  my  dutiful  daughter,  in  mistake 


THE  END  OF  THE  STORY. 


207 


for  our  young  English  friend — poor  little  devil !  I  felt 
Borry  for  it,  too,  for  I  really  liked  the  little  codger." 

*'  And  so  tney  t(X)k  him  to  Fontelle — hem !  "  said 
Grizzle,  with  a  musing  smile. 

"There! — never  mind  him  ! — push  along!  I  want  to 
hear  about  Jae(|uetta  ! "  said  Captain  Niek,  impatiently. 

"  Well,  all  these  things  are  so  merged  into  one  another, 
that  it  is  difficult  to  separate  them.  I  will  try,  however. 
I  neeil  not  remind  you  that  Jaequetta  was  six  years  old 
when  her  mother  made  her  moonlight  flitting." 

"I  am  not  likely  to  forget  it.     Go  on," 

"  Well,  she  lived  witli  me  until  she  was  thirteen  years 
of  age  ;  and  I  took  gootl  care  to  im})ress  on  her  memory 
the  fact  of  her  mother's  disgrace,  and — if  you  will  l)elieve 
it — cliild  as  she  was,  she  felt  it  keenly.  Of  her  fatlier,  I 
never  told  her  anything.  I  left  tliat  for  the  gentleman 
himself." 

"  And  (juite  equal  he  is  to  the  task.     Well  ?  " 

"  She  was  a  pretty  little  thing — small  and  light,  like  a 
fairy,  with  a  laugh  like  a  bird's  song,  sweet  and  clear ; 
ftliort,  flashing,  dancing  curls — red,  like  ber  father's  but 
very  nice  indeed ;  bright,  sparkling,  dark-giay  eyes,  and 
a  dainty,  delicate,  pink-and- white  complexion.  I  took 
care  of  her  beauty,  for  a  reason  I  had  of  my  own,  and 
cared  for  it  (jvery  day,  as  a  miser  might  for  his  money." 

"  You  old  wi'etch  I "  said  the  captain,  with  a  look  of 
disgust. 

"  She  was  willful,  fearless,  bold,  and  stubborn,  after  her 
own  way — her  father's  child  in  every  sense  of  the  word. 
Once  she  put  her  foot  down  to  do  a  thing,  you  might  as 
well  try  to  move  the  Highlands  over  there,  as  that  small 
girl.  She  was  cute,  too,  and  wonderfully  wide-awake  for 
her  years — keen  as  a  Venetian  stiletto,  and  suiiwisingly 
smart  at  learning ,  so  I  have  my  doubts  whether  or  not  I 
would  have  succeeded — though,  thanks  to  my  training, 
she  had  refreshingly  vague  ideas  of  right  and  wrong.  In 
some  ways,  she  was  like  a  woman,  with  all  a  woman's 
sense,  even  at  that  early  age;  and  in  others  she  was  as 
simple  as  a  child  of  three  years.  Howlet  was  dead,  and 
my  boys  were  away  with  Till ;  and  I  carefully  kept  Miss 
Jaequetta  from  all  masculine  eyes  till  the  proper  time 


t '  I 


*1 

ill; 


'" '  III 


li 


I 


2o8 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


came.  Kit  loved  her  ;  for  she  had  the  wildest  and  most 
winning  ways,  when  in  good  humor,  that  ever  a  fairy 
had ;  but  she  only  laughed  at  him  and  nicknamed  him 
and  herself  Beauty  and  the  Beast,  Bluebeard  jind  Fatima, 
Red  Kiding-Hood  and  the  Wolf,  Vulcan  and  Venus,  and 
other  flattering  and  complimentary  titles,  ' 

"Good  girl.  Jack!"  laughed  Captain  Nick.  "Her 
father's  daughter,  indeed !     She  knew  what  was  what !  " 

"  Kit's  love  soon  turned  to  hate — as  yours  did,  also,  a 
little  while  ago ;  and  I  believe  he  would  have  throttled 
her,  at  times,  if  I  would  have  let  him.  But  I  had  better 
designs  on  tlie  young  lady  than  killing  her,  and  an  op- 
portunity soon  came  for  putting  them  into  execution." 

«  Well  ?  " 

«  Have  you  ever  heard  the  name  of  Aubrey  De  Vere  ?  " 

"  Not  as  I  know  of.     Who  was  he  ?  " 

«  A  son  of  3Ir.  Robert  De  Vere,  of  Fontelle." 

"  What !     I  thought  he  had  no  sons  ?  " 

«  Ah,  he  had,  though — two." 

«  AVell  ?  " 

"  Aubrey  was  the  eldest — tall  and  handsome,  as  all  of 
his  race  are — but  Nature,  though  she  gifted  him  with 
wealth  and  beauty,  gave  him,  also,  a  slight  drawback,  in 
the  shape  of  madness ;  for  there  were  times  when  the 
young  man  was  a  raving,  furious  maniac." 

"  Phew !     That  was  a  drawback,  upon  my  word  I  " 

"  Some  fright  or  shock  he  had  received  in  his  boyhood 
was  the  cause ;  and  there  were  intervals  still  when  he  was 
perfectly  sane.  The  family  could  always  tell  when  one  of 
his  violent  paroxysms  were  coming  on,  in  rather  a  pe- 
culiar way.  From  childhood  he  had  ever  been  passion- 
ately fond  of  music,  but  ever  since  the  loss  of  his  reason 
he  never  touched  a  musical  instrument  except  when  the 
furious  outbreaks  were  approaching.  Then  he  would  sit 
down  at  the  organ — his  favorite  instrument — and  play  as 
no  man  in  his  sober  senses  ever  played  before.  His 
friends  kept  him  confined,  generally;  but  there  were 
times  when,  with  the  cunning  of  madness,  he  would  es- 
cape ;  and  so  sanely  could  he  talk  and  act,  that  no  one, 
except  those  who  knew,  would  ever  suspect  him  of  not 
being  sane." 


I 


THE  END  OF  THE  STORY. 


209 


"  Not  an  uncomnion  case,"  said  the  captain.  "  I  have 
often  heard  of  similar  ones  before." 

"  I  knew  all  the  particulars.  I  heard  it  from  an  old 
servant  in  the  house  ;  so  that,  when,  one  stormy  night, 
he  came  to  my  house  (we  lived  on  the  other  side  of  the 
Hudson  then,)  I  knew  liim  at  once,  and  made  him  wel- 
come to  stay  as  long  as  he  liked ;  for  he  had  plenty  of 
money  and  knew  how  to  spend  it.  Here  he  saw  Jac- 
tpietta,  and  fell  in  love  with  her,  as  only  a  madman  cau 
love." 

"  Well,  and  the  result  ?  " 

"  The  result  was  a  marriage.  She  liked  him  well 
enough,  and  had  a  mighty  vague  idea  of  what  marriage 
was  ;  and  he  was  crazy  after  her.  Oh,  it  was  capital  re- 
venge !  marrying  her  to  a  madman,  whose  family  would 
cast  her  off  with  scorn,  as  if  she  were  the  dirt  under  their 
feet." 

"  You  were  a  little  out  of  your  reckoning  there,  though," 
said  the  captain,  with  a  sneer. 

"  Yes.  I  am  glad  of  it  now,  though,  since  a  prospect 
of  more  exquisite  revenge  has  opened  itself.  Jacquetta 
was  a  child,  then,  and  had  no  idea  of  what  she  was  doing ; 
but  I  knew  she  would  wake  one  day,  and  then  there 
would  be  a  scene !  How  I  gloated  in  the  prospect  I 
How  I  exulted  when  it  came  !  " 
,     «  It  did  come  then?" 

"To  be  sure — but  a  long  while  after.  I  don't  know 
whether  it  was  his  new-found  happiness,  or  wliat ;  but 
Aubrey  De  Vere  was  sane  a  long  time  after  that,  and  re- 
mained enchanted  with  his  new  toy — though  his  willful 
baby-wife  got  dreadfully  tired  of  him  sometimes.  I 
could  always  tell  when  his  insane  fits  were  coming  on, 
and  smuggled  him  off  to  an  upper  room,  and  left  him 
bolted  and  barred  in  till  they  passed  away  ;  and  she  knew 
nothing  of  them.  It  was  not  the  time  to  tell  her  yet, 
though  it  was  daily  coming  ;  for  the  woman's  heart  with- 
in her — like  plants  in  a  hot-house,  prematurely  forced — 
was  rapidly  maturing,  even  though  the  breast  that  bore 
it  barely  numbered  fourteen  summers, 

"  But  one  unlucky  day  during  a  brief  absence  of  mine 
to  the  city,  he  broke  out  with  one  of  his  furious  outbursts 


t 


11  I 


:•; »  ..>' 


n 


!■ 


' 


\ 


II 


r 


3XO 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


of  temporary  madness,  and  raved,  and  foamed,  and  f!ed, 
like  one  possessed  l)y  a  thonsaixl  devils,  from  the  house. 
Slie  sliook — the  amaze,  the  horror  was  Ux)  nuieh  for  her 
— fearless  as  she  was.  When  I  came  hack,  I  found  her 
Ij'ing  senseless  on  the  floor,  and  hours  passed  before  she 
awoke  from  that  deatli-likt^  swoon. '^ 

"  Well  ?  "  said  the  ttiptain,  as  ( Jrizzle  paused. 

"There  was  a  chihl  l)orn  that  nij^ht,  an<l  the  baby-wife 
was  a  mother.  The  demon  only  knows  what  feeling 
prompted  me  to  eoneeal  the  infant,  l)ut  I  did  ;  a  poor,  miser- 
able, puny  tiling  it  was;  and  when  she  recovered,  she 
believed  what  I  told  her  of  its  sudden  death.  Blaize  and 
Kit  had  latt^ly  purchased  this  vtuy  house  ;  and  I  had  it 
conveyed  here,  and  paid  a  woman  for  taking  care  of  it. 
That  woman  was  Tribulation  liawbones,  now  a  servant 
in  Fontelle. 

"  Well,  Jacquetta  recovered,  and  so  did  her  husband. 
Strangely  enough,  he  had  gone  to  Fontelle  in  his  lirst 
outbreak  ;  and  from  his  ravings,  they  guessed  what  had 
happened.  When  he  became  sane  agivin,  he  would  have 
denied  it ;  but  his  father  foliowc^l  him  to  my  house,  and 
learned  all  the  particulars.  Of  course  then)  was  a  i)retty 
to-do,  then;  and  the  old  gentleman  was  like  one  beside 
himself  with  grief  and  rage.  Jacquetta  was  a  perfect  little 
fury,  and  would  have  sprung  on  me  and  clawed  like  a 
wild-cat,  only  I  fled  from  the  room.  How  I  laughed ! 
how  I  enjoyed  it !  how  delicious  it  was  !  "  She  laughed 
again  at  the  recollection. 

"  You  second  Jezebel ! "  said  the  captain. 


"  They  all  calmed  down  again  after  a  while,  and  began 
to  reflect  it  was  no  use  crying  for  spilled  milk.  Of 
course,  Mr.  De  Vere  would  have  nothing  to  do  with  Jac- 
quetta. Oh,  no !  not  at  all !  He  pooh-poohed  the  notion ; 
said  the  marriage  was  null  and  illegal,  and  carried  off  his 
son  by  force.  The  girl  of  fifteen  was  as  proud  in  her  way 
as  the  stately  old  Englishman  was  in  his.  She  let  him 
go  without  a  word,  and  never  again  breathed  the  subject 
to  me  ;  but  oh,  the  delightful  looks  she  used  to  favor  me 
with — the  little  kite-heart !  " 


THE  END  OF  THE  STORY. 


211 


a 


"Mr.  RolHM't  Dc  Vorc  soon  found  he  had  rt'ckonod 
without  his  liost,  wlion  he  tliouglit  lie  could  get  his  son 
to  give  up  his  little  hride.  He  herjime  perfectly  ungov- 
enmhle,  raved,  foairu'd,  shrieked  like  a  wild  heast,  and 
called  on  .h»('(iuetta  night  and  day.  In  fact,  there  was  no 
stiinding  him  at  all,  and  nothing  remained  hut  to  send  for 
Jacciuetta." 

"  And  you  let  her  go?" 

"  Of  course.  I  knew  my  own  interests.  So  proud  was 
Bhe,  that  she  would  not  have  went  a  stej>  with  him,  only 
out  of  pity  for  Auhrey.     Hut  go  she  did  at  last." 

"  And  that  is  how  she  came  to  live  at  P'ontelle?  " 

"  That  is  how.  Her  presence  soothed  him  at  once  and, 
strange  to  say,  she  and  ISfiss  Augusta,  then  a  haughty  little 
lady  of  ten  years,  heeame  fast  friends.  She  had,  a«I  told 
you,  winning  ways,  and  cast  a  spell  over  every  one  she 
met  hy  a  sort  of  wild  fascination  al)out  her,  and  very 
soon  siie  heeame  the  idol  of  the  household,  and  almost  as 
dear  to  the  master  of  Fontelle  as  his  own  dfiughter." 

"  So  much  the  hetter !  They  will  feel  the  parting  with 
her  the  more." 

"  Right !  So  thvj  will.  Mr.  De  Vere  did  not  care  to 
publish  on  the  hcnise-tops  that  he  had  a  son  a  maniac; 
and  as  his  paroxysms  of  madness  were  becoming  daily 
more  frequent  and  violent,  one  of  the  rooms  in  the  old 
deserted  north  wing  was  fitted  up  vnth  barred  windows 
and  bolted  doors,  and  he  was  confined  there.  Old  Tribu- 
lation, a  woman  of  iron  heart  and  nerves,  became  his 
nurse ,  and  everything  that  could  make  him  comfortable 
was  given  him.  Even  his  fondness  for  nmsic  was 
thought  of,  and  his  organ  was  X5lac;ed  in  his  room,  and  re- 
mains there  to  this  day  ;  and  before  his  fiercest  attacks, 
he  still  favors  them  with  a  little  unearthly  music — most 
frequently  at  the  dead  of  night. 

**  And  that  accounts  for  the  strange  noises,"  said  the 
captain,  musingly. 

"  Yes.  As  it  would  have  excited  curiosity  and  inquiry 
to  call  Jacquetta  3fr8.  De  Vere,  the  change  to  Miss  was 
very  easy  and  convenient ;  and,  as  few  visitors  c*dled  at 
Fontelle,  repelled  by  the  pride  of  the   aristocratic  De 


1  ) 


.|  I 


I 


■'.  ^']i 


( 


!     'I 

I 


i1 


V* 

*1 


212 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


W 


nijl 

I 'I 
ii 

ill 

ii 


Veres,  people  believed  readily  enough  she  was  his  young- 
er daughter  for  she  looks  several  years  younger  than 
Augusta — small  fair  people  always  do  look  younger  than 
they  are.  And  so — and  so — she  has  lived  there  ever 
since  ;  and  that's  all." 

"  And  enough,  by  Jupiter  !  And  so  I'm  a  grandpapa 
— am  I  ?  Good  gracious !  I  say,  Grizzle,  where's  the 
child?" 

She  laughed,  and  continued  stirring  the  fire. 

"  How  dumb  you  are  1    Think  a  moment." 

«  Eh  ?  Why— what  ?    It's  not  little  Orrie— is  it  ?  " 

She  nodded. 

« Oh,  Jehosaphat !  here's  a  mare's  nest  I  And  little 
black-eyes  is  a  grand- daughter  of  mine  I " 

"  She  has  that  honor." 

"Whew!  What  will  we  hear  next?  iVnd  Jacquetta 
does  not  suspect  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know.     I  half  think  she  does,  sometimes."     . 

"  She  would  claim  her,  if  she  aid." 

"  No.  She  knows  it  would  be  no  use.  I  could  keep 
her  in  spite  of  her.  She  bears  a  shadowy  resemblance  to 
her  mother,  and  has  the  same  fiery  temper,  and  the  true 
De  Vere  face." 

"  And  so  she's  a  De  Vere,  too." 

"  Yes — and  the  heiress  of  Fon telle  ?  " 

"  Well,  this  is  something  new.  Do  you  mean  to  make 
this  known  as  well  as  the  rest  ?  " 

"Most  decidedly." 

"  But  what  is  the  end  of  all  this  ?  It  may  mortify  them 
to  know  I  am  her  father ;  but  they  will  not  cast  her  off 
on  that  account." 

"  Trust  n.e  for  that.  I  will  see  Mr.  De  Vere  ;  and  when 
I  tell  him  Jacquetta  knew  everything  I  have  told  you 
all  along,  and  artfully  concealed  it,  you  will  see  what  a 
change  it  will  make.  You  don't  know  yet  how  haughty 
these  De  Veres  can  be.  Let  him  once  learn  what  her 
mother  was,  and  that  Jacquetta  hersel  1!  knew  it  all  along, 
although  she  denied  it,  and  he  would  order  her  out  in 
five  minutes.  He  might  get  over  the  disgraceful  stock 
from  which  she  sprung,  but  her  own  deceit,  never." 


THE  END  OF  THE  STORY. 


213 


"Bravo!  And  then  Madam  Jacquetta  will  have  to 
march !  " 

"  Precisely !  Oh,  I'll  fix  her  I  Then,  as  her  father,  you 
can  claim  her,  you  know." 

"  But  what  if  she  won't  be  claimed  ?  There's  a  small 
spice  of  the  devil  in  that  young  lady,  and  it  may  tempt 
her  to  act  ugly  and  cut  up  shines." 

"  What  can  she  do  ?  She  can  neither  work  nor  starve. 
And  her  c^ild  will  tie  her  hands.  It  needs  only  a  word 
to  convince  her  the  child  is  hers  It  will  humiliate  her 
to  death,  and  Disbrowe's  love  will  go  out  under  the  blow, 
like  a  candle  under  an  extinguisher." 

"Good?  And  then?" 

"  You  can  treat  her  as  you  please." 

"  By  Jove  !  I'll  treat  her  well,  for  she's  a  little  brick," 
cried  the  captain,  enthusiastically. 

"  You  forget  she  conquered  you." 

"  I'll  forgive  her  that,  once  I  get  her.  I've  got  money 
enough;  and,  by  the  Lord  Harry,  she  and  Miss  Orrie 
shall  live  like  a  couple  of  ladies." 

"  You're  a  fool  !     She'll  never  own  you." 

"Wait  till  you  see.  I  don't  believe  little  Lelia  can 
have  changed  so.  But,  look  here,  old  lady  ;  you  told  me 
De  Vere  had  two  sons — where's  the  other  ?  " 

"  Oh,  Heaven  knows  !  Dead,  I  expect !  He  was  carried 
off  by  Indians,  when  a  child,  and  never  heard  of  more." 

"  Well,  it's  astonishing  how  things  turn  up.  And  so 
my  precious  son-in-law  is  locked  up  in  the  old  north 
tower  of  Fontelle  ?  " 

"  Yes,  and  Tribulation  has  her  hands  full  to  look  after 
him.  They  can  always  tell  when  he  is  getting  violent,  by 
his  playing,  and  then  Jacquetta  has  to  go  to  him.  Slie  is 
the  only  one  he  will  mind  at  such  times.  She  locks  him 
up  and  leaves  him  by  himself,  until  he  sees  fit  to  be  rea- 
sonable again ;  then  he  is  released.  It  mostly  happens 
in  the  dead  of  night ;  and  the  little  lady  has  an  uneasy 
time  of  it  getting  out  of  bed  to  see  after  him.  Tribula- 
tion always  clears  on  such  occasions." 

"  And  when  is  this  delightful  story  to  electrify  your 
friends  at  Fontelle  ?  " 

"  To-morrow  morning," 


^  I 


i   '  tf 


i   ■ 


fi; 


■»  n 


4  i\ 
^  I. 


•1! 


II: 
: !  f 

ill 


us- 


''r     if 
I 


214 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


"  Am  I  to  go  with  you  ?  " 

"Most  certainly — to  claim  your  daughter."  ' 

"  Ha !  ha  !  Won't  there  be  a  scene  V  I  shan't  sleep  a 
wink  to-night  for  thinking  of  it." 

"  Well,  go  now  !    I  am  done  Avith  you." 

"  A  curt  dismissal !  Look  here,  Grizzle,  I  should  like 
to  see  Orrie  before  I  leave." 

"  Ball !     What  do  you  want  to  see  her  for  ?  " 

"  Well,  knowing  that  she  is  my  grandchild,  it  strikes 
me  I  should  like  to  take  a  good  look  at  her.  Come,  old 
friend,  be  good-natured,  and  lead  the  way." 

«  Stuff !     The  child's  asleep," 

"  I  won't  awake  her — I  won't  stay  a  moment." 

"  Nick  Tempest,  you're  a  fool ! "  said  the  woman, 
harshly,  as  she  arose  and  took  a  candle.  "  Come,  then, 
willful  must  have  his  way." 

"  En  atmntj  i,.a  chere!  "  said  the  captain,  jocosely.  "  I 
follow." 

She  led  th«3  way  up-stairs,  and  opened  the  door  of  a 
squalid  little  room,  containing  no  furniture,  but  a  straw- 
pallet  in  a  little  truckle-bed.  The  child  lay  stretched 
out — her  black  hair  strewn  about  her  ;  her  hands  clasped 
over  her  head ;  her  small  face,  in  its  repose,  bearing  strik- 
ing marks  of  her  paternity. 

Shading  the  light  with  his  hand.  Captain  Mck  bent 
over  her,  but  he  started  back  the  next  instant ;  for  the 
great,  black,  goblm  eyes  were  wide  open,  and  piercing 
liim  like  needles. 

"  You  nasty  old  thing !  What  are  you  doing  here  ? 
Gret  out!  "  said  Orrie,  sitting  up  in  bed  and  brandishing 
the  pillow,  as  the  only  defensive  weapon  at  hand. 

"Oh,  you're  awake — are  you?"  said  Captain  Nick. 
"  Why,  Orrie,  don't  you  know  me — Uncle  Nick  ?  " 

"  Uncle  Nick  ! "  said  the  child,  contemptuously.  "  You 
ain't!  I  wouldn't  have  you  for  an  uncle!  Will  you  go 
away  ?  " 

"  She's  her  mother's  daughter  !  "  said  Grizzle,  with  a 
grim  smile. 

"  Clear  out."  repeated  Orrie,  clutching  tlie  pillow,  "  or 
I'll  hea\e  this  at  you  I  " 

"  You  little  angel,"  said  the  captain,  apostrophizing 


A  WOMAN'S  NATURE. 


215 


her  in  a  low  tone.  "  What  a  blessed  little  seraph  she  is, 
Grizzle  !  " 

"  Come  away,"  said  Grizzle.  "  I  hope  you  are  satisfied 
with  your  reception." 

"  Perfectly  !     Good-night,  Orrie." 

Orrie's  reply  to  this  piece  of  politeness  was  an  angiy 
scowl,  as  she  still  sat  threateningly  holding  the  pillow, 
until  the  door  closed  after  them. 

"  She  does  look  like  the  De  Veres,"  said  tl  e  captain. 

*'  And  is  blessed  with  her  mother's  dove-like  temper, 
and  her  maternal  grandparent's  gentleness.  Come  back 
early  to-morrow  morning.     Are  you  ready  to  go  ?  " 

"  Yes  :  if  I  must  go.  But  as  I  have  to  return  here  to- 
morrow, could  you  not  accommodate  me  with  a  shake- 
down before  the  fire  for  this  night  ?  " 

"No.  I  can  do  no  such  thing.  I  don't  want  you. 
There,  be  off  !  " 

«  You  hospitable  old  soul !     Well,  good-night !  " 

« Good- night,"  said  the  woman,  in  pretty  much  the 
the  same  tone  as  if  it  were  a  curse  she  sent  after  him  ; 
and  then  the  door  was  bolted,  and  Grizzle  Howlet  was  in 
and  Nick  Tempest  was  out,  tramping  back  to  the  Mer- 
maid, and  musing  intently  on  all  he  had  heard  that  night. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 
A  woman's  xatube. 

"I  am  a  woman — nay,  a  woman  wronged  ! 
And  when  our  sex  from  injuries  take  fire, 
Our  softness  turns  to  fury,  and  our  thoughts 
Breathe  vengeance  and  destruction." 

—Savage. 

The  loud  ringing  of  the  breakiast-ljell  was  the  first 
thing  that  awoke  Captain  Alfred  Disbrowe  on  the  morn- 
ing of  his  departure.  For  hours  after  his  parting  with 
Jacquetta,  he  had  paced  up  and  down  his  room,  too 
miserable  and  angry  to  go  to  bed ;  and  it  was  only  when 
the  sky  began  to  grow  red  in  the  east  that  he  had  flung 
himself  down,  dressed  and  all,  and  dropped  into  a  feverish 
slumber. 


■I 


*i       \ 


4  . 


u  h 


ii  n 


r, 


f-: 


f-  II 


2l6 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


He  awoke  with  a  strange  feeling  of  loneliness  and 
heaviness  of  heart,  and  it  was  some  minutes  before  he 
could  call  to  mind  the  cause.  Then  it  came  back  to  him 
with  a  shock  and  a  thrill,  that  this  was  the  last  morning 
he  would  ever  spend  in  Fontelle — the  last  time  he  would 
ever  see  Jacquetta.  There  was  inexpressible  bitterness 
in  the  thought,  now  that  the  excitement  of  the  previous 
night  had  passed  away,  and  he  dropped  his  head  on  his 
hand  with  something  like  a  groan.  Her  image  was  before 
him,  bright,  piquant,  radiant — the  slight,  fairy  form ;  the 
small,  tantalizing,  bewitching  face ;  the  laugliing,  mocking 
dark-gray  eyes ;  the  saucy,  provoking  smile  ;  the  round, 
polished,  boyish  forehead  ;  the  short,  flashing,  dancing 
curls,  that  shone  before  his  eyes,  now,  as  the  most  charm- 
ing curls  in  existence ;  the  whole- spirited,  daring,  spark- 
ling little  countenance  of  the  intoxicating  little  siren,  all 
arose,  as  if  to  madden  him  in  their  most  bewildering 
array.  He  looked  up  at  the  smiling  eyes  and  sweet, 
beautiful  lips  of  the  portrait  above  him,  a  ad  remembered 
he  had  lost  it  all.  Again  his  head  dropped,  and  a  cry 
that  would  not  be  repressed  broke  from  his  lips  : 

"  Oh,  Jacquetta  !  my  love  !  my  life  !  my  dream  I  This 
— this  is  what  I  have  Icstl  " 

There  was  a  knock  at  the  door.  He  lifted  his  head, 
brushed  back  the  heavy  locks  of  his  falling  hair,  and  said  : 

"  Come  in." 

Frank  entered.  It  reminded  Disbrowe  of  the  first  day 
of  his  arrival,  when  he  had  paid  him  a  similar  visit.  How 
short  a  time  had  elapsed  since  then  !  and  yet  it  had  trans- 
formed his  whole  life. 

"  Why,  cousin  Alfred,  what's  the  matter  ?  "  said  Frank. 
"  You  look  like  a  ghost." 

"  I  did  not  sleep  well,  last  night,"  said  Disbrowe,  glan- 
cing languidly  in  the  glass,  and  starting  to  see  the  pale 
face  it  reflected.  "  Was  that  the  breakfast-bell  rung  just 
now?" 

"  Yes,  and  as  you  are  generally  down  so  early  in  the 
morning,  I  thought  perhaps  you  had  taken  a  notion  to 
run  off  in  the  night,  being  so  late  this  morning.  You 
didn't  turn  in  with  your  clothes  on,  did  you  ?  They  look 
as  if  you  had  been  sleeping  in  them  a  week." 


A  WOMAN'S  NATURE. 


217 


"  I  believe  I  did,"  said  Disbrowe,  smiling  faintly.  "  I 
was  up  until  daybreak.  Are  my  uncle  and  cousins  down- 
stairs ?  " 

There  was  a  vague  hope  at  his  heart  that  he  might  see 
Jacquetta  again,  in  spite  of  what  she  had  told  him  ;  and 
he  listened  eagerly  for  Frank's  answer. 

"  No,"  said  that  young  gentleman,  "  Jack's  gone.  She 
was  off  this  morning  for  a  ten-mile  ride,  to  visit  one  of 
these  poor  laborers  who  got  both  his  legs  crushed  to 
pieces  last  evening — poor  fellow !  She  would  have  went 
last  night,  I  believe,  only  Lightning  had  lost  a  shoe." 

With  a  sickening  feeling  of  disappointment,  Disbrowe 
arose  and  proceeded  to  arrange  his  disordered  dress  and 
brush  his  disheveled  hair.  So  intense  and  bitter  was  the 
sensation,  that  it  Avas  some  moments  before  he  could 
trust  himself  to  speak. 

"  Jack's  a  regular  guardian-angel  to  one-half  these  poor 
people,"  continued  Frank,  now,  as  ever,  disposed  to  sing 
the  praises  of  his  favorite,  and  quite  unconscious  that 
every  word  of  praise  was  like  a  dagger  to  the  heart  of  his 
cousin.  "Let  her  hear  of  an  accident,  even  though  it 
should  be  fifty  miles  off,  and  if  she  thought  she  could  be 
of  the  least  service,  she  would  be  up  and  off  in  a  twink- 
ling, in  spite  of  wind  and  weather.  I  remember  once, 
when  the  typhus  fever  was  raging  at  Green  Creek,  and 
carrying  off  the  people  in  scores,  she  established  herself 
as  nurse-general,  and  scarcely  took  time  to  sleep  or  eat, 
but  went  from  cottage  to  cottage,  night  and  day.  Uncle 
told  her  she  was  mad,  and  tried  to  prevail  on  her  not  to 
risk  her  life  ;  but  she  wouldn't  listen  to  him  a  moment. 
Her  duty  lay  there,  she  said,  and  there  she  must  be.  For 
over  four  months,  she  never  came  to  Fontelle,  for  fear  of 
bringing  the  contagion ;  and  I  do  believe  she  saved  the 
lives  of  one-half  the  poor  people  there.  Uncle  gave  her 
plenty  of  money ;  and,  by  George !  if  she  didn't  spend  it  I " 

"  And  did  she  escape  herself  ?  " 

"  Oh,  no !  she  took  it  when  almost  everybody  else  was 
well ;  but  she  recovered  again.  Her  hair  all  fell  out,  too, 
and  it  has  never  grown  long  since." 

"And  this  is  what  I  have  lost," again  thought  Dis- 
browe, in  bitterness  of  spirit.     "  This  is  the  girl  I  have 


l-i* 


I 


1  D 


^'r 


2l8 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


called  heartless — this  entrancing  fairy,  with  tht  heart  of 
a  hero  and  an  angel !  Oh,  Jacquetta !  what  have  I  done 
that  I  should  lose  you  ?  " 

"  What  is  the  matter  ?  "  said  Frank,  curiously.  "  Some- 
thing more  than  a  bad  night's  rest,  I'll  be  bound !  You 
look  as  if  you  had  lost  your  best  friend." 

"  So  I  have  ! "  said  Disbrowe,  passionately. 

"  Eh  ?  what  ?  Why,  cousin  Alfred,  is  Lord  Eai*necliffe 
dead  ?  " 

"  Not  as  I  know  of.     I  hope  not." 

"  Then  what  the — I  thought  he  Avas,  by  your  saying 
that." 

♦'  Never  mind,  Frank ;  you  are  five  years  too  young  to 
understand  what  I  mean.  Heaven  grant  you  never  may 
understand  it !  " 

Frank  looked  at  him  an  instant  with  a  peculiar  smile, 
and  then  began  to  whistle,  with  piercing  emphasis,  the 
grand  march  in  "  Norma."  Disbrowe  paused  in  his  oc- 
cupation, and  looked  at  him  a  moment  with  a  singular 
expression. 

"  You,  too,  Frank,"  he  said,  with  a  slight  smile ;  "  are 
you  in  the  secret,  too  ?  " 

"  What  secret  i  "  said  Frank,  with  a  look  of  innocent 
unconsciousness.  "  Don't  understand,  Captain  Disbrowe. 
I'm  five  years  too  young  to  know  any  secrets." 

Captain  Disbrowe  returned  to  his  toilet. 

"  I  forgot  you  were  a  Yankee,  and  consequently  wide- 
awake. Has  Jacquetta" — his  face  flushed  as  he  uttered 
her  name — "  told  you  anything  ?  " 

"  No.  What  would  she  tell  me  ?  I  don't  understand 
you  at  all,  cousin  Alfred." 

Frank's  look  of  resolute  simplicity  was  refreshing  to 
see.    Disbrowe  made  an  impatient  gesture. 

"  You  understand  well  enough.     Out  with  it !  " 

"  Well,  then,  I  know  you're  in  love  with  our  Jack," 
blurted  out  Master  Frank,  thrusting  both  hands  in  his 
pockets.  "  All  of  my  own  knowledge,  too,  if  I  am  five 
years  too  young  to  know  anything." 

Evidently  youth  was  a  sore  spot  with  Frank,  like  all 
boys  ambitious  to  be  thought  men.  DisbroAve's  face  grew 
crimson  one  moment  and  whiter  than  ever  the  next. 


A  WOMAN'S  NATURE. 


219 


He  went  on  dressing  v  itliout  speaking  a  word,  and  Frank 
evidently  possessed  by  some  spirit  of  evil,  continued, 
undauntedly : 

"  And  I  know  she  refused  you,  too — you  and  your 
coronet,  Captain  Disbrowe,  as  she  has  many  a  bet — 
another  man.  Oh,  our  Jack's  not  to  l)e  had  for  a  word,  I 
can  tell  you  !  The  man  that  gets  her  nuist  do  something 
more  than  pay  her  compliments,  or  give  her  tlowers,  or 
say  sweet  things  by  moonlight." 

"  What  must  he  do  ?  Take  lance  and  shield,  and  ride 
forth,  booted  and  spurred,  like  a  second  Don  Quixote,  in 
search  of  adventures ;  conquer  a  lieiy  dragon,  or  rescue 
some  hapless  prince  from  the  enchanted  castle  of  some 
gigantic  ogre  V  "  said  Disbrowe,  between  anger  and  sar- 
casm. 

"  Yes,  sir-ee  !  "  exclaimed  Frank,  defiantly.  "  If  such 
things  were  to  be  done  now,  the  man  that  would  lay  claim 
to  her  pretty  little  baud  would  have  to  prove  his  knight- 
hood before  he  would  kneel  at* her  footstool.  As  it  is,  the 
man  that  comes  after  her  will  have  to  mind  his  P's  and 
Q's  before  he  gets  her ;  for  Jack  De  Vere  is  no  common 
milk-and-Avater  young  lady,  but  worth  half  the  women  in 
the  world — queens  and  prmcesses  included — rolled  into 
one.' 

"  That  is  all,  doubtless,  very  true,"  said  Disbrowe,  with 
a  curling  lip ;  "  but  I  fancy  I  know  some  one  who — " 

lie  paused  abruptly,  and  bit  his  lip. 

"  Oh,  you  may  go  on.  I  know  who  you  mean.  You 
think  she's  in  love  with  Jacinto — don't  you  ?  "  said  Frank, 
sarcastically. 

"  Really,  Master  Frank,  you  seem  m  a  catechizing;  mood 
this  morning,"  said  Disbrowe,  facing  round  and  fixing  his 
dark  eyes  full  upon  him.  "  Supposing  we  drop  this  subject. 
Our  friend.  Miss  Jacquetti\,  might  not  thank  either  of  us 
for  so  free  a  use  of  her  name." 

Frank  blushed  at  the  rebuke,  which  he  could  not  nelp 
feeling  he  deserved,  and  in  a  spirit  of  retaliation  began 
humming :  "  A  frog  he  would  a  wooing  go,"  as  they  left 
the  room. 

Disbrowe  smiled  as  he  heard  him ;  and,  letting  his  hand 
fall  on  his  shoulder,  said,  cordially  : 


il 


1; 

fl 


!■    iT 


I  r'it 


220 


THE  DARK  SECRET: 


"  Come,  Master  Frank,  it  is  not  worth  while  for  you  and 
I  to  disagree,  as  this  is  the  last  morning  I  will  ever 
trouble  you.     We  must  part  friends,  my  dear  boy." 

"  That  we  shall,  cousin  Alfred  I "  exclaimed  Frank, 
shaking  earnestly  the  proffered  liand  ;  "  and  I  do  like  you 
first  rate  ;  and  I  wish  you  had  got  Jack.     Xow,  then  I  " 

"  Thank  you  1  but  your  wish  comes  rather  too  late  ;  I 
am  not  likely  to  win  such  a  prize  in  Love's  hjtt^ry.  Tell 
her,  Frank,"  he  said,  with  a  look  of  strange  earnestness  in 
his  dark,  handsome  eyes,  "  to  forget  all  I  may  have  said 
to  offend  her  ;  and  tell  her  that  my  best  wishes  go  with 
her  and  whoever  may  be  so  fortunate  as  to  win  the  heart 
and  hand  she  refused  me.  Tell  her  this,  Frank,  my  dear 
fellow,  since  I  am  not  destined  to  see  her  again." 

Frank  wrung  his  hand  silently  ;  for  his  voice  at  that 
moment  was  not  altogether  under  his  command. 

Both  entered  the  breakfast  parlor  together,  where 
Augusta,  Jacinto,  and  Mr.  De  Vere  sat  awaiting  them. 

Augusta  sat  the  same  figure  of  stone  that  she  always 
was  of  late ;  but  the  change  the  past  few  days  had 
wrought  in  her  never  struck  Disbrowe  so  forcibly  as  it 
did  this  morning.  She  had  lost  flesh  and  life,  and  color ; 
she  was  the  shadow  of  her  former  self.  Her  tall,  stately 
form  was  wasted  and  thin  ;  her  cheeks  hollow ;  her  lofty 
brow  death-like  in  its  blue- veined  pallor ;  her  lips  were 
white ;  and  her  hands  so  pale  and  wasted  that  they  looked 
almost  transparent.  The  old  story  of  the  vampire  sucking 
the  life-blood  drop  by  drop,  seemed  realized  in  her  case  ; 
and  oh !  the  unspeakable  depth  of  desolation  and  de- 
spair in  those  great,  heavy  midnight  eyes.  And  some- 
thing worse  than  desolation  and  despair  was  in  that  hag- 
gard face,  now — Remorse,  undying,  devouring  remorse — 
the  worm  that  never  sleeps,  seemed  gnawing  her  heart — 
had  set  his  white,  fearful  seal  on  that  corpse-like  face. 

She  lifted  her  eyes  slowly,  as  they  entered ;  and  meeting 
his  gaze,  so  full  of  pity  and  compassion,  the  old  haughty 
pride  of  the  De  Veres,  that  even  her  night  of  anguish 
could  not  quench,  sent  a  momentary  fire  leaping  to  her 
eyes,  and  a  lofty  look  to  the  white  face  that  repelled  and 
cast  off  fiercely  all  commiseration. 

Mr.  De   Vere  put  down   the  book  he    was  reading. 


A  WOMAN'S  NATURE. 


221 


and  came  forward  to  greet  him ;  and  Jacinto,  who  sat 
caressing  a  beautiful  little  water-spaniel — a  pet  of 
Jacquetta's — glanced  up  and  met  a  look  full  of  angry 
jealousy  from  the  young  Englishman's  dark  eyes  that 
made  him  drop  his  own  and  flush  to  the  temples. 

Mr.  De  Vero  apologized  in  a  few  words  for  Jacquetta's 
absence ;  and  they  all  gathered  around  the  breakfast  table. 
The  meal  passed  almost  in  silence,  and  sadly  enough,  too ; 
for  all  were  thinking  it  was  the  last  the  young  guardsman 
would  partake  of  beneath  that  roof  ;  and  until  that  moment 
they  had  not  known  how  he  had  endeared  himself  to 
them.  There  would  be  a  dreary  gap  when  his  tall,  gal- 
lant form,  and  gay,  handsome  young  face  was  gone,  that 
would  not  be  easily  filled  in  the  family  circle.  Had 
Jacquetta  been  tliere,  the  oppressive  silence  would  soon 
have  been  broken !  but  she  was  "  over  the  hills  and  far 
away,"  long  before  this,  and  doubtless — as  Disbrowe 
thought — forgetful  of  his  very  existence. 

"Which  way  do  you  go ?"  inquired  Mr.  De  Vere,  at 
length — making  an  effort  at  something  like  conversa- 
tion. 

"T  will  call  at  the  Mermaid,  and  take  passage  from 
there  in  some  schooner,  as  I  wish  to  take  sketches  of  the 
scenery  as  I  go  along,  which,  I  understand,  is  very  fine 
along  the  Hudson." 

"  Xone  better,"  said  Mr.  De  Vere.  "  I  have  climbed 
the  proud  Alps,  I  have  sailed  down  the  Rhine,  as  the 
song  has  it,  but  I  have  never  seen  anything  to  surpass 
this  new  country  scenery.  You  ought  to  see  these  Amer- 
ican forests  in  autumn,  decked  in  their  Joseph's  coat  of 
many  colors.  You  would  never  forget  it.  It  goes  ahead 
of  Old  England  completely  in  that  point." 

"  I  have  always  understood  it  was  very  fine,"  said  Dis- 
browe ;  "  but,  unhappily,  I  Avill  not  be  able  to  see  it.  I 
hope  to  be  shooting  in  Fontelle  woods  before  that," 

The  door  opened  as  he  spoke,  and  a  servant  appeared 
with  a  startled  face. 

"  Well,  Reynolds  ?  "  said  Mr.  De  Vere  looking  up. 

"  She's  here  again,  sir ! "  said  Reynolds,  excitedly,  «  and 
she  won't  go  away,  all  we  can  do.  She  says  she  will  see 
you,  in  spite  of  us  all !  " 


\l 


I 


*l 


•'  til 


ill 


h-  ■ 


I 


i  i) 
'I 

1 » 

i:.! 

222 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


"  Who  are  you  talking  about  ? — who  is  she  f  Don't  be 
BO  incoherent,  Reynolds." 

"It's  old  Mother  Ilowlet,  sir,  if  you  x^lease — and  there's 
a  man  along  with  her — and  she  won't  go  away." 

Augusta  uttered  a  faint  exclamation,  and  sunk  back  in 
her  chair. 

Mr.  T)e  Vei*e  arose,  his  face  flushed  with  anger. 

"  Mother  Ilowlet !  How  dare  she  come  here  I  Order 
her  away,  Reynolds,  and  say  I  will  mot  nee  her." 

"  We  have,  sir,  but  she  won't  go.  The  man  along  with 
her  has  got  a  pistol,  and  he  says  he  will  shoot  the  first  of 
us  that  tries  to  keep  them  out." 

«  Who  is  the  fellow  ?  " 

"  Don't  know,  sir.  He's  a  short,  thick-set,  man,  with 
red  hair  and  whiskers,  and  a  savage  face." 

"  Captain  Nick  Tempest,"  simultaneously  exclaimed 
Jacinto,  Disbrowe,  and  Frank. 

"  The  fellow  who  tried  to  shoot  you  that  evening  Jacin- 
to was  wounded  ?  "  asked  Mr.  De  Vere. 

«  The  same." 

"  Really,"  said  Mr.  De  Vere,  angry,  "  Fon telle  seems  to 
be  a  rendezvous  "or  desperadoes  of  late.  Come,  Reynolds, 
I  will  go  with  you  to  this  worthy  pair,  and  we  will  see  if 
they  cannot  be  got  rid  of." 

"  You  had  better  be  careful,  my  dear  sir,"  said  Disbrowe, 
anxiously.  "  This  Captain  Tempest  is  a  most  sanguinary 
villain,  and  capable  of  any  crime,  T  believe." 

"  Then  he  will  find  that  Fontelle  is  not  in  the  habit  of 
sheltering  sanguinary  villains,  nor  its  master  of  being 
bullied  into  listening  to  what  they  have  to  say." 

And,  preceded  by  Reynolds,  •  Mr.  De  Vere  left  the 
room. 

"  What  the  dickens  can  bring  those  two  here  ?  "  ex- 
claimed the  astonished  Fmnk. 

"  That  is  a  question  I  cannot  take  it  upon  myself  to 
answer,"  said  Disbrowe ;  "  for  no  good,  you  may  safely 
swear.  They  must  have  the  audacity  of  the  old  demon 
himself  to  come  here.  Are  you  ill,  Miss  Augusta  ?  You 
look  alarmed." 

"Oh,  no." 

She  was  sitting  gazing  at  the  door,  with  a  look  so 


A  WOMAN'S  NATURE. 


223 


be 

(re's 

in 

'(ler 


strained  and  unnatural  that  it  startled  thorn.  Jacinto, 
too,  was  white,  as  if  with  apprehension,  and  shrunk  from 
the  eyes  of  all.  Moment  after  moment  passed — a  (luarter 
of  an  hour  went  by,  l)ut  still  Mr.  l)t»  Vere  did  not  return. 

"  What  can  detain  uncle !  "  exclaime<l  Frank.  *'  They 
can't  have  done  anything  to  him,  can  they  V  Suppose  1 
nng  and  see  ?  " 

No  one  ol)jected;  and,  seizing  the  bell-pull,  ]»e  rung  a 
peal  that  presently  brought  lieynolds  into  \\\v  roouh 

"Have  those  two  old  trampers  gone  V"  iisked  1^'rank. 

"No,  Master  Frank;  they're  l)oth  here  yet." 

"The  dickens  they  are!     Where's  uncle ':' " 

"In  the  morning-parlor  with  Mother  Ilowlet." 

"  Oh  1  ginger!"  exclaimed  the  overwhelmed  Frank, 
"tliere's  a  piece  of  news!     Where's  Captain  Tempest?" 

"  Sitting  in  the  hall,  smoking." 

"  Smoking  !  there's  coolness  for  you,  ladies  and  gents  ! 
You  may  go,  Reynolds." 

Reynolds  bowed  and  withdrew,  and  the  quartet  looked 
at  each  other  in  silent  amaze.  Augusta  leaned  on  her  el- 
bow, and  dropped  her  head  on  her  hand,  but  not  U^fore 
they  had  seen  how  fearfully  agitated  her  face  was.  Jacinto, 
alternately  pale  and  red,  got  up  and  sat  down,  and  r^eemiiig- 
ly  could  rest  nowhere.  Captain  Disbrowe  looked  calmly 
surprised,  and  Master  Frank  gave  vent  to  his  feelings  by 
whistling,  and  with  his  hands  in  liis  ])ockets  marched  up 
and  down  the  room  to  the  tune  of  the  "^  Rogue's  jMarch." 

An  hour  passed,  and  all  were  wrought  up  to  a  state  of 
almost  intolerable  suspense.  "  I  wish  uncle  would  come — 
I  do  wish  he  would,"  Fmnk  had  repeated  for  the  fiftieth 
time,  when  at  last  the  door  was  opened,  and  Mr.  I)e  Vere 
entered,  closely  followed  by  Grizzle  Ilowlet  and  Captain 
Nick  Tempest. 

A  score  of  questions  were  on  Frank's  lips  ;  but  they 
froze  there,  as  he  looked  on  his  uncle's  face.  The  stern 
and  relentless  face  of  an  outraged  Spartan  father,  carved 
in  marble,  might  have  looked  as  his  did  at  that  moment. 
A  dusky  fire  was  in  his  eye,  and  his  lips  were  compressed 
as  in  a  vise.  The  faces  of  Captain  Nick  and  his  fair 
friend  bore  an  unmistakable  look  of  triumphant  malice,  as 
they  coolly  helped  themselves   to  seats.     Captain   Nick 


;■'      ( 


il 


'I 


.1 


■>  f. : 


1 


<  ^1 


t  -1 

I 


224 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


Lowed  politely  all  around,  in  bland  amiability — even  to 
Captain  Disbrowe ;  for  there  is  nothing  makes  us  more  ami- 
able for  the  time  being  than  the  consciousness  that  we 
are  about  to  have  complete  revenge.  Augusta  shook  in 
mortal  tc^rror  from  meeting  the  eyi;  of  old  (irizzle,  and 
slirunk  away  in  a  recess  of  the  window,  shaking  like  one 
in  an  ague-tit.  A  sinister  smile  parted  the  thin  lips  of 
that  lady,  as  she  saw  it ;  and  she  exchanged  an  exultant 
look  with  the  gallant  commander  of  the  "  Fly-by-Night." 

"  Frank,"  said  Mr.  De  Vere,  turning  to  his  nephew, 
"do  you  know  in  what  particular  direction  Jacquetta  has 
gone  ?  " 

Frank  started  and  stared.  There  was  a  sharp  ringing 
tone  in  his  uncle's  voice,  that  was  never  heard  there  save 
when  his  anger  was  at  its  height.  It  was  seldom  Mr.  De 
Vere  was  really  angry ;  but  when  he  was,  he  was  almost 
relentless  in  his  stern  passion. 

"  No,  sir — that  is,  yes,  sir — she  has  gone  to  Red  Rock.  " 

"  Do  you  know  what  time  she  will  return  V  " 

"  No,  sir  ;  perhaps  not  before  night.  " 

]\[r.  De  Vere  seized  the  bell,  and  rung  furiously.  Rey- 
nolds again  appeared. 

"  Reynolds,  go  and  tell  William  to  saddle  Firefly — 
that  is  the  fastest  horse,  I  believe — and  bring  him  round, 
instantly,  to  the  front  door  1 " 

Reynolds  flew  to  obey,  wondering  inwardl\  what  was 
up,  and  then  turning  to  the  astonished  Frar k,  said,  per- 
emptorily: 

"  JNIount  instantly,  and  be  off  for  Jacquetta  !  Tell  her 
she  is  to  return  with  you  immediately — immediately^  mind  I 
Lose  not  a  moment  going  or  coming.     Go  I  " 

Frank  started  to  his  feet,  more  in  dismay  than  in 
obedience ;  but  there  was  that  in  his  uncle's  face  that 
repelled  inquiry,  and  extorted  compliance. 

"  Just  tell  her  I  want  her  I  You  need  not  say  who  is 
here.  It  is  as  well  to  take  her  unprepared,"  he  said, 
lowering  his  voice. 

"  That's  so,  Mr.  De  Vere  I  "  exclaimed  Captain  Tempest, 
whose  keen  ears  overheard  him. 

"  Silence,  sir !  "  said  Mr.  De  Vere,  fiercely.  "  Learn  to 
hold   your  tongue   when  a  gentleman  speaks ! "    Then, 


A  WOMAN'S  NATURE. 


225 


turning  to  Frank,  lio  ssiid  :  "  What  are  yoii  waiting  for, 
sir?  \>i*  off;  and  mind,  don't  let  the  grass  grow  under 
your  feet ! " 

Frank,  so  violently  astonislmd  that  he  srarccly  knew 
whether  he  was  waking  or  dreaming,  seized  his  ca]),  and 
darted  out  of  the  room.  Captain  Tempest  arose,  his  faee 
red  with  anger. 

'*I)o  yon  mean  to  say,  sir,"  he  l)egan,  turning  savagely 
to  Mr.  De  Vere,  when  a  hand  seized  his  arm,  and  he  was 
forced  hack  into  his  ehair. 

"Why  will  you  he  a  fool,"  said  Grizzle,  angrily  in 
Spanish;  "sit  down  and  wait!  Your  revenge  is  com- 
ing !  " 

A  moment's  silence  fell  on  all.  Captain  Tempest 
scowled,  ]Mr.  T)e  \'ere  walked  to  the  window,  and  stood 
like  a  statue,  and  Dishrowe  pulled  out  his  watcli,  and 
looked  at  the  liour. 

"  Time  I  was  olf,"  he  said,  starting  u]).  "  ]My  dear  uncle, 
can  T  see  you  a  moment  in  private,  l)ef()re  I  go?  " 

"Vou  must  postpone  your  journey  for  to-day,  Alfred!  " 
said  his  uncle,  imperiously.  "  There  is  a  (,'ertain  family 
affair  to  be  discussed  here,  presently,  at  which  I  re(iuiro 
your  presence.     Your  journey  can  wait,  so  sit  down!" 

Jacinto  started  to  his  fiH^t. 

"  Then  I  will  not  intrude,"  he  said  ;  "  I  Avill  go  !  " 

"  You  will  stay !  "  interposed  Mr.  De  Vere,  sternly. 
"  Sit  down,  sir ;  perhaps  we  may  find  your  presence 
necessary  before  we  have  done  !  " 

The  boy  turned  white,  even  to  his  lips. 

"  I  beg,  sir, "  he  began,  falteringly ;  but  ]Mr.  De  Vere 
turned  almost  fiercely  upon  him. 

"  Sit  down,  sir !  You  shall  do  as  I  tell  you.  Perhaps 
we  may  make  you  give  a  better  account  of  yourself  before 
you  go !    Sit  down  1 " 

The  lad  reeled,  and  fell  back  into  a  seat,  lilie  one  faint- 
ing. 

All  this  time  Augusta  had  cowered  in  her  seat,  shudder- 
ing, trembling,  collapsed.  Now  she  lifted  her  white  face, 
and  rising  to  her  feet,  she  turned  to  Grizzle,  and  gasped 
rather  than  said : 

"  Have  you — have  you — broken  your  promise  ?    Have 


i  m 

' 

1     M 

•<  til 


•I       i 


n 


r  i 


m 


226 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


you'told — ?  "  her  voice  died  away,  and  she  shivered,  convul- 
sively. 

The  old^  evil  smile  came  over  Grizzle's  face,  as  she 
fixed  her  piercir^  eyes  on  tlie  young  girPs  ghastly  face,  and 
quietly  replied : 

" No,  Lady  Augusta,  I  have  not  told!  Your  secret  is 
safe,  at  least,  for  the  present ;  I  do  not  care  to  blacken  my 
lips  just  yet  hy  telling  it,  nor  scorch  your  father's  ears  by 
the  hearing.     Fear  not  for  the  present ;  you  are  safe." 

She  sunk  back,  and  dropped  her  white  face  in  her  white 
hands,  Mr.  De  Vere,  standing  stern  and  motionless,  if 
he  heard,  heeded  not ;  and  Jacinto,  whose  emotion  was 
evidently  one  of  intense  terror — rather  surprising  in  one 
who  a  short  time  before  had  fearlessly  risked  his  life  to 
save  another's — cowered  down  on  his  seat,  and  did  not  dare 
to  look  up,  while  a  streak  of  dark  red  at  intervals  flashed 
across  his  dark  face.  Disbrowe,  astonished  and  troubled, 
yet  with  a  heart  thrilling  at  the  thought  that  he  was  to  see 
Jacquetta  again,  looked  uneasily  from  face  to  face.  Old 
Giizzle,  with  her  gray  cloak  folded  closely  around  her,  sat 
wi^h  a  grim,  sinister  smile  glittering  in  her  snake-like  eyes, 
aiad  wrinkling  her  thin  lips.  And  Captain  Tempest,  loll- 
ing back  in  his  chair,  elevated  his  legs  on  another,  clapping 
wedge  of  the  Virginia  weed  in  his  mouth,  stuck  his  hands 
in  his  coat-pockets,  and  looked  the  very  picture  of  noncha- 
lance and  high-bred  self-possession. 

And  hours  passed  I  - 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


LITTLE    ORRIE. 


,  ■  *'  In  truth  she  was  a  strange  and  wayward  child, 

Fond  of  each  gentle  and  each  dreadful  scene,  « 

in  darkness  and  in  storm,  and  winter  wild." 

— Beattie. 

An  hour  before  daybreak,  that  morning,  Jacquetta  was 
in  the  saddle,  and  off  on  her  mission  of  mercy.  She,  too, 
had  passed  a  sleepless  night ;  and  the  bitterest  tears  per- 
haps she  had  ever  shed  in  her  life,  had  fallen  from  her 
eyes. 


LITTI.E  ORRIE. 


227 


■  Jacquetta  rarely  wept  like  other  girls,  even  in  trouble 
— she  seldom  could — she  mostly  sat  like  a  stone,  till  the 
pain  at  her  heart  wore  itself  out ;  but  the  look  in  Dis- 
browe's  eyes,  as  she  left  him,  had  moved  her  strangely, 
and  her  tears  had  fallen  more  for  him  than  herself. 

That  he  loved  her  truly,  she  could  not  doubt ;  and  a 
"  still  small  voice,"  far  down  in  her  heart,  whispered  that 
she  loved  him,  too.  She  shrunk  in  horror  from  that  voice 
— she  shrunk  from  herself — she  would  not  hear  it ;  there 
was  guilt  ui  listening  to  it  for  a  moment.  She  would  not 
have  seen  him  agfiin  for  worlds ;  she  would  not  look  in 
his  dark,  pleading  eyes,  lest  it  should  make  her  traitor- 
heart  betray  her ;  and  she  would  have  torn  it  out,  and 
hurled  it  from  her,  had  it  been  in  her  power,  first.  And 
yet  there  was  inexpressible  pain  in  the  thought  of  his 
forgetting  her  altogether ;  worse,  of  believing  her  in  love 
with  another — this  small  boy !  How  she  despised  her- 
self that  any  one  should  believe  her  capable  of  being  be-- 
wildered  by  the  first  handsome  face  she  met. 

It  would  have  been  a  sweet  drmk  to  Disbrowe  to  know 
the  restless,  miserable  night  she  had  passed,  and  how 
eagerly  she  had  longed  for  morning  when,  on  Lightning's 
back,  she  might  fly  over  the  hills,  as  she  longed  to  fly 
from  herself.  And  before  that  morning  came,  she  was 
off  and  away,  forgetting,  in  her  rapid,  exciting  gallop,  the 
rebellious  rising  and  throbbing  and  aching  of  her  woman's 
heart. 

Her  way  led  her  within  half  a  mile  of  the  lone  inn  ;  and 
to  her  surprise,  the  first  object  she  beheld,  as  she  nearcd 
it,  was  little  Orrie,  leaping,  springing,  flying  over  the 
rocks  like  one  possessed. 

"  Hallo,  Orrie  ! "  she  called,  reining  in  her  horse,  as  the 
child  stopped  to  look  at  her.  "  You  here  ?  What  are 
you  doing  ?  " 

"Nothing,"  said  Orrie,  composedly. 

"  Where  are  you  going  ?  " 

"Nowhere."  \ 

"  Who's  at  home  ?  " 

"No  one." 

"Where's  Grizzle?"  .  ^ 

"Don't  know." 


>.|i;i 


228 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


"  Satisfactory  answers,"  said  Jacquetta,  laughing. 
"  Will  you  come  for  a  ride,  Orrie  ?  " 

"  Yes.'- 

"  Here,  then,  mount." 

Orrie  took  the  hand  she  extended,  and  sprung  before 
her  into  the  saddle.     And  Jacquetta  again  darted  off. 

"  Where  are  you  going  ?  "  asked  the  child. 

"  Only  a  little  way  from  here — to  Red  Rock." 

"  Is  that  nice  young  gentleman  at  Fontelle,  yet  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  said  Jacquetta,  flushing  violently. 

"  Ain't  he  nice  ?  Oh !  I  do  love  him !  Don't  you  love 
him,  too  ?  "  asked  Orrie,  looking  up  in  her  face. 

«  See  how  fast  Lightning  goes ;  watch  him  jump  over 
that  gulley  !  "  said  Jacquetta,  eagerly. 

Of  course  Orrie  was  all  animation. 

"  Are  you  not  afraid  when  we  go  so  fast  ?  " 

"  Afraid !  "  said  Orrie,  contemptuously.  "  No ;  I  guess 
I  ain't !  I  love  to  go  fast !  " 

"You  love  a  good  many  things — don't  you?"  said 
Jacquetta. 

"  Yes ;  I  guess  I  do !  There's  Red  Rock !  Whose 
house  are  you  going  to  ?  " 

«  Briggs'." 

"  Oh,  yes ;  old  Jake  Briggs  got  his  legs  smashed  off  ! 
I  heard  Kit  telling  Blaize  it.  Are  you  going  to  fix  'em 
for  him  ?  " 

"  I  wish  I  could,"  said  Jacquetta,  as  she  leaped  lightly 
off,  and  gave  her  hand  to  Orrie  to  spring.  "  But  I  am 
afraid  it  is  beyond  me.     Come  in." 

A  boy  came  out  and  took  her  horse,  as  though  it  was 
quite  a  matter  of  course  to  see  Miss  De  Vere  there.  Jac- 
quetta went  in  with  Orrie  to  the  cottage,  where,  on  a  bed, 
lay  the  prostrate  form  of  the  unfortunate  Briggs — life 
almost  extinct.  ' 

A  woman  was  bending  over  him,  crying  and  wringing 
her  hands  ;  four  or  Ave  children  were  crouclied  round  a 
smoky  fire,  in  loud  lamentations — some  for  their  father, 
and  some  for  pieces  of  bread. 

Jacquetta's  presence  stilled  them  all  for  a  moment — 
even  the  mother.  A  doctor  had  been  sent  for,  and  was 
expected  every  instant ;  so  she  turned  to  the  children  and 


UTTI^E  ORRIE. 


229 


quieted  them  by  distributing  unlimited  slices  of  bread  and 
butter,  an  unfailing  cure  generally  for  the  afflictions  of 
childhood.  Orrie  declined  taking  any,  and  sat  with  her 
black,  elfish  eyes  riveted,  as  if  fascinated,  on  the  distorted 
face  of  the  maimed  man.  Jacquetta  strove  to  console  the 
woman;  replenished  the  smoky  fire  until  it  burned 
brightly ;  put  the  disordered  room  in  rights,  and  made  her- 
self generally  useful,  until  the  arrival  of  the  doctor.  He 
came  in  about  an  hour — pronounced  the  case  hopeless; 
spoke  pleasantly  to  Jacquetta,  and  called  her  a  good  little 
girl ;  hoped  she  would  make  her  father  do  something  for 
the  family ;  chucked  Orrie  under  the  chin,  and  inquired 
the  latest  news  from  the  land  of  the  goblins  ;  and  put  on 
his  gloves  and  departed. 

Noon  approached,  and  Jacquetta  was  just  trying  her 
hand  at  getting  dinner  for  the  children,  when  the  furious 
clatter  of  horse's  hoofs  brought  her  to  the  door  ;  and  she 
saw  Frank  panting,  flushed,  breathless,  standing  before 
her. 

"  Well,  Master  Frank,  what  now  ?  "  she  demanded. 

"  Oh,  Jack  !  you're  to  come  right  straight  home  !  Uncle 
says  so — he  sent  me  after  you !  There's  the  old  dickens 
to  pay  at  Fontelle  ! " 

Jacquetta  looked  at  him  in  calm  astonishment. 

"  Come  right  straight  home  ?    Why,  what's  wrong  ?  " 

"  Don't  know,  I'm  sure — everything  is  !  Old  Grizzle 
Howlet's  there,  and  old  Nick  Tempest ;  and  uncle's  in  a 
regular  downright  state  of  mind,  if  ever  you  saw  him  in 
one ! " 

"  What  sort  of  a  state  of  mind  ?  " 

"  A  blamed  angry  one !  Come,  hurry  up !  I  shouldn't 
wonder  if  they  were  all  assassinating  one  another  by  this 
time.  Uncle  told  me  not  to  say  old  Grizzle  and  Captain 
Tempest  were  there ;  but  I  couldn't  hold  in." 

"  Not  to  tell  me  ?  Really  !  Is — is  Captain  Disbrowe 
there  ?  "  she  asked,  hesitatingly. 

"  He  was,  when  I  left  I     Come — make  haste !  " 

"  I  will  be  back  in  a  moment,"  said  Jacquetta,  hurrying 
in  to  get  her  hat,  and  take  her  departure. 

Orrie,  hearing  Frank's  voice,  came  out,  to  his  great 
amazement;  but  a  few  words  explained  how  she  got 


K 


4    I: 

^1  : 


\  'i 


230 


THE  DARK  SBCRKT. 


there.  And  the  young  gentleman  swung  her  up  before 
him,  and  announced  his  mtention  of  carrying  her  off  to 
Fontelle. 

"  Will  you  ?  "  cried  Orrie,  delighted ;  "  that's  you  !  I 
want  to  see  that  nice  captain  again." 

"  It's  the  last  time  youll  see  him,  then,  for  one  while," 
said  Frank,  "  for  he's  going  away  to-day." 

"  Going  where  ?  " 

"  Oh !  ever  so  far  away  !  To  a  place  called  England — a 
small  little  island  they  have  over  there." 

"  And  when  will  he  come  back  ?  " 

"  Never,  I  expect,"  said  Frank,  sententiously.  "  So  be- 
gin and  tear  your  hair,  and  rend  your  garments  as  soon 
as  you  like." 

Orrie's  face  grew  so  blank  at  the  news,  that  Frank  had 
to  laugh ;  but  at  that  moment  Jacquetta  mounted,  and 
they  both  dashed  off  together.  ' 

"  What  on  earth  can  they  ever  want  with  me.  Frank  ?  '* 
she  asked. 

"  How  the  mischief  do  I  know  ?  Something  a  wful's  up, 
I've  no  doubt !  " 

"  And  papa  told  you  not  to  tell  me  they  were  there  ?  " 

«  Yes ! " 

"  Well,  it's  strange,  I  must  say  ;  but  time  will  tell  j  and 
so  I  don't  object  to  a  small  surprise." 

And  she  laughad,  and  hummed : 

'•  Romance  for  me,  romance  for  me, 
And  a  nice  little  bit  of  mystery." 

"  I  rather  calculate  it  won't  be  a  very  pleasant  surprise 
when  you  do  hear  it,"  said  Frank.  "  Old  Grizzle  looked 
as  if  she  meant  mischief." 

"  She  generally  means  that."  .; 

"  And  she  and  uncle  had  a  long  confab  together  in  the 
nursery-room." 

"Indeed?" 

«  And  when  he  came  in  he  looked  like  a  thunder-cloud ! 
like  the  picture  of  that  old  thingymajig  in  the  library, 
you  know — that  old  Roman  brick  that  killed  his  daugh- 
ter!" 

«  Perhaps  it  was  something  about  Augusta  ! " 


A  PROUD  HEART  CRUSHED. 


231 


>» 


'*  Don't  know — it  might ;  but  then,  what  can  they  want 
of  you  in  such  a  tremendous  hurry  ?  " 

"  Very  true  I  Well,  there  is  no  use  troubling  ourselves 
about  it  till  we  get  there.  Orrie,  are  you  not  afraid  to 
go  to  Fontelle,  and  old  Grizzle  there  ?  " 

"  No,"  said  Orrie  ;  "  I  must  see  the  captain  ;  and  she 
may  beat  me  if  she  likes ;  but  I  will  !  " 

"  What  a  lady-killer  he  is — eh,  Jack  ? "  said  Frank, 
laughing. 

"  What  do  you  want  to  see  him  for  ?  "  said  Jacquetta, 
coloring  slightly,  and  lot  noticing  Frank's  remarks. 

"  Oh  !  I  want  to  ask  him  to  take  me  with  him — lie 
said,  perhaps  he  would." 

Frank  laughed  uproariously  at  the  very  idea  of  the 
thing ;  and  then,  as  the  rapid  pace  at  which  they  went 
precluded  conversation,  they  relapsed  into  silence  and 
galloped  swiftly  along. 

Some  time  in  the  afternoon  they  reached  Fontelle.  As 
they  entered  the  hall  they  met  Reynolds. 

"  I  say,  Reynolds,"  said  Frank,  taking  him  by  the 
button,  "  are  all  the  good  folks  in  the  parlor  yet  ?  " 

«  Yes,  Master  Frank."  . 

•"  Is  uncle  there  ?  "  ^^ 

"Yes,  sir." 

"  Nursing  his  wrath  to  keep  it  warm !  "  laughed  Jac- 
quetta, as  she  tripped  along,  and  opening  the  parlor-door 
entered,  followed  by  Frank  and  little  Orrie. 


t- 


M 


CHAPTER  XX. 


A  PROUD  HEART  CRUSHED. 

"When  I  am  cold,  when  my  pale  sheeted  corse 
Sleeps  the  dark  sleep  no  venomed  tongue  can  wake, 
List  not  to  evil  thoughts  of  lier  whose  lips 
Have  then  no  voice  to  plead." 
*».  — Maturin's  Bertram. 

The  group  in  the  parlor  had  scarcely  changed  their 
positions  since  the  morning,  except  that  Captain  Tempest, 
overcome  by  the  silence  and  watching,  had  fallen  asleep, 
and  now  snored  audibly.     Luncheon  had  been  served; 


'  ii 


232 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


for,  even  in  his  anger,  Mr.  Dt3  Vere  could  not  forget 
hospitality  ;  but  no  one  had  touched  it  save  Grizzle  and 
her  companion. 

Mr.  Da  Vere,  with  his  arms  folded  across  his  chest,  sat 
moodily  in  liis  elbow-chair,  and  Augusta  and  Jacinto 
3till  maintained  their  drooping,  dejected  position. 

Jacquetta's  keen  eyes  took  it  all  in  at  a  glance,  and 
then  advancing  toward  Mr.  De  Vere,  she  began  : 

"  You  sent  for  me,  papa — " 

"  One  moment,  young  lady  ! "  interposed  Mr.  De  Vere, 
sternly,  sitting  upright.  "  Do  not  si)eak,  if  you  please — 
at  least  for  the  present — only  in  answer  to  my  questions. 
Ah  !  how  came  this  child  here  ?  " 

Grizzle  uttered  an  exclamation  at  the  same  time,  as 
little  Orrie  entered  with  Frank;  but  that  young  lady 
paid  not  the  slightest  attention  to  either.  Darting  her 
bright,  black  eyes  hither  and  thither  until  they  rested  on 
Disbrowe,  who  was  in  the  act  of  laying  aside  the  book 
he  had  been  reading,  she  darted  forward,  according  to 
her  usual  fashion,  flung  her  arms  around  his  neck,  and 
fell  to  kissing  him  rapturously. 

Jacquetta  who  had  first  started  at  her  father's  address, 
and  fixed  her  clear,  penetrating  eyes  full  on  his  face,  in 
calm  surprise,  now  recovered  herself,  and  said,  quietly : 

"  If  that  question  is  addressed  to  me,  I  found  her  play- 
ing near  the  old  inn,  and  took  her  with  me  to  Red  Rock, 
and  from  thence  home,  by  her  own  desire." 

"  Home !  "  said  Mr.  De  Vere,  with  a  slight  sneer. 
*'  How  know  you  this  is  her  home  ?  " 

"  I  did  not  say  it  was  !  She  wished  to  see  Captain  Dis- 
browe, and  I  brought  her  here  to  my  home  for  that  pur- 
pose." 

"  Ah !    You  are  very  fond  of  the  child,  doubtless  ?  " 

"I  like  her — yes,  sir." 

"  You  like  her  1  Nothing  more  ?  " 

"  I  do  not  understand  you,  papa." 

"  We  will  drop  that  title,  if  you  please.  Until  certain 
matters  a^'*  cleared  up,  I  am  not  at  all  ambitious  to  hear 
it  from  your  lips." 

Two  red  spots,  like  twin  tongues  of  flame,  leaped  to 
the  cheeks  of  Jacquetta,  and  she  passed  her  hand  over 


A  PROUD  HEART  CRUSHED. 


233 


her  brow  in  a  bewildered  sort  of  way.  Disbrowe's  face 
flushed,  and  he  bit  his  lips  until  it  was  bloodless. 
Augusta  and  Jacinto  looked  up,  and  fixed  their  eyes  on 
Mv.  De  Vere  in  utter  amazement.  A  smile  and  signifi- 
cant glance  passed  between  Grizzle  and  Captain  Nick. 
Frank's  eyes  flashed  ;  and  even  little  Orrie,  perching  he? 
head  on  one  side,  looked  from  one  to  the  other,  as  if  try- 
ing to  understand  what  all  this  meant.  Mr.  De  Vere's 
face  was  growing  sterner  and  darker  every  moment ;  for, 
as  she  stood  there  before  him,  there  was  little  difficulty 
in  tracing  the  strong  resemblance  between  her  and  Nick 
Tempest.  Jacquetta  was  proud — too  proud  to  let  any 
one  there  present  see  how  keenly  she  felt  the  insult ;  so 
drawing  her  small,  slight  figure  uj)  to  its  full  height,  she 
bowed  and  said  coldly  : 

"  As  you  please,  sir." 

"  I  might  not  so  much  object  to  hearing  it  myself," 
said  Mr.  De  Vere,  in  the  same  slightly-sneering  tone  he 
had  before  used — more  galling  to  hear,  by  far,  than  an 
angry  one  would  have  been  ;  "  but  there  is  another  gentle- 
man present  who  has  a  better  claim  than  I  do  to  that 
dutiful  title  ;  perhaps  he  may  be  jealous  of  being  robbed 
of  his  due." 

"  I  do  not  understand  you,  sir." 

"  Oh,  fire  aAvay  !  Don't  mind  me,"  exclaimed  Captain 
Nick  with  a  wave  of  his  hand,  "  I  shan't  be  jealous  I  All 
in  good  time,  you  know." 

"  Perhaps  you  understand  71010,  young  lady !  "  sneered 
Mr.  De  Vere. 

"  I  do  not,  sir.     May  I  ask  you  to  explain  ?  " 

«  Explain  what  ?  " 

"  This  singular  scone.  What  have  I  to  do  with  these 
people  ?  "  and  she  pointed  to  Captain  Nick  and  his  lady- 
friend. 

"  Oh,  come  now,  Jacquetta,  my  girl — or,  Lelia,  rather — 
you  may  as  well  leave  oft'  your  airs  at  once.  Old  Grizzle's 
split,  and  so  it's  no  use  carrying  things  with  a  high  hand 
any  longer,"  said  Captain  Tempest,  in  a  loud  tone  of  voice. 

"  No,  Jacquetta  I  It's  too  late  ;  the  play  is  played  out," 
said  Grizzle.  "  I  have  told  Mr.  De  Vere  all,  and  it  is  of 
no  use  for  you  to  add  any  more  falsehoods  to  the  rest." 


s 


. )  i 


■  ml 


234 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


"  And  so  you  may  as  well  strike  your  colors  and  sur- 
render at  once,  my  little  firebrand !  "  said  Captain  Nick. 

Jacquetta  turned  her  flashing  eyes  from  one  to  the 
other,  and  her  small  hands  clinched  as  though  she  could 
have  sprung  on  them  both  like  a  wounded  panther,  on 
the  spot ;  but  after  a  moment's  scrutiny,  her  mood 
changed,  and  she  turned  away  ^vith  a  curling  lip,  as 
thougli  she  thought  them  unworthy  of  her  notice. 

"  May  I  ask,  sir,"  she  repeated,  turning  almost  imperi- 
ously to  Mr.  De  Vere,  "for  an  explanatioii  of  all  this? 
Was  I  brought  here  to  be  publicly  disgraced  before  a 
mixed  crowd  like  this  ?  " 

"  Really,  madam,  you  must  be  careful  how  you  talk ! 
If  by  *  mixed  crowd'  you  mean  those  two  worthy  folks 
behind  you,  the  term  is  slightly  disrespectful  to  one  of 
them  at  least,"  said  Mr.  De  Vere. 

"  Heavens  1  will  no  one  tell  me  what  this  means  ?  Am 
I  an  idiot  to  be  treated  like  this  ?  "  she  demanded,  with 
a  passionate  stamp  of  her  foot. 

« Why,  I  have  just  told  you,  my  little  duck ! "  said 
Captain  Nick.  "  It  means  the  fat's  in  tho  fire  ;  the  cat's 
out  of  the  bag ;  that  you've  put  your  foot  in  it ;  that 
you've  got  to  the  end  of  your  tether ;  and  old  Grizzle, 
thinking  you  might  bolt  the  ropes,  has  given  you  a  short 
pull  up.  I  admire  your  pluck,  upon  my  soul  I  do  1  and 
can  see  w^th  half  an  eye  you're  your  father's  daughter, 
every  inch  of  you  ;  so  you  had  better  acknowledge  the  corn, 
and  come  to  terms  at  once.  I  dare  say  it  won't  be  pleas- 
ant, at  first — most  especially  in  that  young  gent's  pres- 
ence over  there;  but  he'll  know  it  sooner  or  later,  so 
you  might  just  as  well  drop  your  mask,  and  sail  under 
3'^our  own  flag  for  the  future.  You're  a  tip-top  little 
brick,  my  little  girl,  and  I  swan  you  ought  to  be  a  lady,  in 
spite  of  the  old  saying  that  you  can't  make  a  silk  jDurse 
out  of  a  sow's  ear.  You  remind  me  of  a  young  colt,  my 
dear,"  said  captain,  with  f.  touch  of  philosophy  ;  and  giv- 
ing his  arm  a  wave  by  way  of  directing  attention  to  the 
peroration.  "  As  soon  as  the  bridle  and  curb  is  first  put 
on,  after  it  has  been  allowed  to  run  loose  round  the  pas- 
ture all  its  life,  it  kicks  up  its  heels  and  grows  restive, 
and  plunges,  and  struggles,  and  raises  a  devil  of  a  row  gen- 


A  PROUD  HEART  CRUSHED. 


235 


n- 


erally  (saving  your  picsenee,  ladies  and  gents,  for  nam- 
ing my  friend  in  your  company) ;  but  still  it  has  to  sub- 
mit, and  finally  settles  down  into  a  eajutal  })east  of  bur- 
den, in  the  long  run.  And  so,  my  bright  little  flash  of 
lightninj^,  you  will  have  to  tame  down  to  a  c(mimon  tal- 
low candle,  and  burn  under  a  sluide  at  that ;  and  you  may 
as  well  come  to  terms  now  as  ever." 

All  the  time  Captain  Nick  had  been  tluis  elociuently  de- 
livering himself,  the  cleav,  bright,  penetrating  eyes  of  Jac- 
quetta  had  been  fixed  on  his  face — riveted  there  with  such 
a  steady,  unwinking  gaze,  that  when  that  gallant  mariner 
had  concluded,  and,  looking  up,  ni'  ag  piercing,  l,urning, 
fixed  scrutiny,  ho  gave  an  unea.sy  start,  shiited  in  his 
chair,  tried  to  stare  back,  but  failed,  and  finally  burst  out 
again  in  a  bullying  tone  : 

"  Oh  come,  Jack  De  Vere  !  none  o'  that !  I  can  stand  a 
good  deal,  but  I  never  was  acquainted  with  Job,  and 
ain't  much  like  him  in  disposition ;  so  Fm  uncommon  apt 
to  flare  up  when  provoked  !  It's  disrespectful,  too,  as  the 
old  gent  over  there  told  you  a  little  while  ago  and, — " 

"  I  beg  you  will  not  allude  to  me,"  said  ^Ir.  De  Vere, 
haughtily.  "  With  you,  sir,  I  have  nothing  to  do,  and 
the  seldomer  you  refer  to  me  the  better  !  " 

Captain  Nick  sprung  to  his  feet  in  rage. 

"  Why  you  darned  old  aristocrat  !  do  you  mean  to  say 
I'm  not  as  good  a  man  as  any  De  Vere  among  you  that 
ever  had  his  head  struck  on  a  pole  over  London  Bridge 
as  a  traitor.  I  tell  you,  my  old  cove  !  you'll  fin«^  yourself 
in  the  wrong  box  if  you  attempt  to  bully  me  I  " 

"  By  heaven,  sir !  do  you  dare  to  speak  to  my  uncle  like 
this  ?  "  fiercely  exclaimed  Disbrowe  starting  to  his  feet. 

"  Yes,  my  young  grandee ;  and  to  you,  too.  Mind  your 
own  business,  sir,  and  speak  when  you're  spoken  to.  I  have 
a  little  private  account  to  settle  with  you,  before  you  go 
home  to  see  your  dear  Norma,  and  tell  her  you  amused 
yourseli  making  love  to  another  man's  wife  all  the  time 
you  were  in  America  I  " 

Tliere  was  something  in  the  last  words  that  struck 
them  all  dumb.  With  a  low,  irrepressible  cry,  Jacquetta 
reeled,  fell  on  a  sofa,  with  both  hands  clasped  over  her 
heart.     How  well  Disbrowe  knew  that  gesture  now  I 


236 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


"  All !  you  can  feel — you  can  suffer  I  That  bolt  goes 
home  to  your  proud  heart,  my  lady !  "  said  Captain  Nick, 
triumphantly. 

"  Oh,  my  heart !  what  docs  all  this  mean  !  Oh  !  will 
no  one  tell  me  ?  "  cri(»d  Jacquetta,  passionately.  "  What 
have  T  said — what  have  I  done  to  be  treated  like  tliis  ?  " 

"  Ask  that  heart  you  have  named.  Let  it  disclose  your 
guilt !  "  said  ]\[r.  De  Vcre,  between  grief  and  rage.  "  I 
should  blush  to  speak  it  1 " 

Up  to  her  feet  she  sprung,  with  the  fearful  bound  of 
the  aroused  tigress — her  eyes  flashing  fire — her  lips  and 
cheeks  white  as  ashes. 

"  Guilt — ashamed  I  Mr.  De  Vere,  I  command  you  to 
tell  me  of  what  I  am  accused  ! "  she  said,  fiercely. 

"  Wliat  an  actress  was  lost  in  you,  Miss  Jack !  "  said 
the  captain,  with  a  sneer. 

"  Now,  Jacquetta,  it's  of  no  use,"  said  Grizzle,  in  a 
wheedling  tone.  "  You  know  just  as  well  as  he  does 
what  it  means,  and  it  is  only  a  waste  of  good  tragedy  to 
rant  and  fire  up  like  this.  How  often  have  you  told  me  that 
you  dreaded  this  day,  and  implored  me  on  your  knees  not 
to  tell  what  I  have  told  ?  Calm  yourself,  and  be  reasonable. 
You  may  as  well  acknowledge  your  true  father,  and  drop 
all  this  nonsense  at  once.     It  imposes  on  no  one  now." 

"  That's  the  chat  I "  said  the  captain. 

She  looked  from  one  to  the  other,  like  a  wounded  deer 
with  the  hounds  at  his  throat. 

"  Oh,  my  God !  we  are  all  sinners,  and  none  more  un- 
worthy than  I.  But  what  have  I  done  to  deserve 
this ! " 

There  was  a  passionate  solemnity  in  her  tone  that 
thrilled  through  every  heart.  Disbrowe  rose,  as  white  as 
herself. 

"  This  is  base — this  is  unmanly — this  is  cruel !  If  she 
were  on  trial  for  life,  she  would  be  told  her  crime,  and  al- 
lowed to  defend  herself.  Will  you  not  give  her  the  same 
l)rivilege  as  a  public  malefactor?" 

"  She  knows  well  enough  it's  all  sham  I "  said  Grizzle, 
liarshly.  «  She  can  play  Persecuted  Innocence  to  perfec- 
tion I " 

"  Come  I    I'll  ask  her  a  question,"  said  Captain  Mck, 


A  PROUD  HEART  CRUSHI-D. 


237 


in  his  bullying  tone.  "  Right  about  face,  ^liss  or  Mudame 
Jacquetta.     Look  at  me — look  at  me  well  I " 

"  I  am  looking,  sir  !  " 

"  Well ;  do  you  know  me  ?  Come,  now,  the  truth,  tho 
whole  truth,  and  nothing  but  the  truth  !  " 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  Ah,  you  do  1  Mar  kthat,  Mr.  De  Vere.  Who  am  I, 
then?" 

"  Captain  Nick  Tempest — the  greatest  villain  unhung!  '* 

The  answer  was  so  unexpected — so  completely  different 
from  anything  he  had  looked  for,  that  the  gallant  captain 
sunk  back  in  his  chair,  and  stared  at  her,  perfectly  unable 
to  utter  a  word. 

Grizzle  Howlet  "  grinned  horribly  a  ghastly  smile  "  of 
triumph  over  her  old  enemy,  and  nmttered  ; 

"  Her  father's   daughter,  indeed  1     Pluck  to  the  last !  '* 

And,  Frank,  who  had  hitherto  stood  a  silent  and 
wondering  spectator,  called  out,  delightedly  : 

"  That's  you,  Jack  ;  hit  him  again  !  " 

Mr.  De  Vere's  brow  grew,  if  possible,  a  shade  more 
stern  than  it  had  been  before. 

"  Do  you  know  to  whom  you  are  speaking,  mistress  ? 
Let  him  be  ever  so  great  a  villain,  it  is  your  duty  to  be 
respectful.  If  you  think  to  raise  yourself  in  my  estima- 
tion by  any  display  like  this,  you  are  greatly  mistaken  in 
me,  young  lady !  I  cannot  cease  to  forget  as  easily  as 
you  can,  that  there  is  a  commandment  which  says, 
"  Honor  thy  father  and  thy  mother,  that  thy  days  may 
be  long  in  the  land  which  the  Lord  shall  give." 

"  I  have  not  tried  to  raise  myself  in  your  estimation, 
Mr.  De  Vere.  I  never  yet  sued  for  the  good  opinion  of 
any  one,  and  I  shall  not  begin  now  !  Neither  can  J  see 
how  the  command  just  quoted  can  apply  to  the  present 
case  in  the  remotest  degree." 

"  Do  you  mean  to  say,"  said  ]\[r.  De  Vere,  rising  to  his 
feet,  and  sternly  confronting  her,  "  that  you  do  not  know 
that  man  ?"  - 

She  met  his  angry  gaze  unflinchingly. 

*'  I  mean  to  say  no  such  thing,  sir !  I  do  know  him 
quite  as  well  as  I  am  anxious  to  know  him,  or  any  one  of 
his  class." 


Il 


ill 


t'{ 


1 


I:     * 


238 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


I 


"  Take  care  we  arc  not  better  acquaintc^d  l)cfore  lonpf, 
my  pretty  little  dear!  *  Any  one  of  his  class,'  forsooth  I 
To  what  (hiss  do  you  Ixdonj^,  if  it  comes  to  that,  my  high 
and  mighty  little  princess  royal ! "  sneered  the  captain. 

"  You  prevaricate,  young  lady.  Will  you  tell  me  in 
what  relation  he  stands  to  you  'i  " 

"  That's  it  I  You  have  her  now,  scpiirc !  Drive  her  into 
the  corner,  where  she  can't  dodge  !  "  cried  the  captain, 
delightedly. 

"  Silence,  fellow  I  "  angrily  exclaimed  Mr.  De  Vere. 
"  I  await  your  answer,  madam." 

*'I  do  not  undersbind  you,  sir.  Do  you  mean  to  say 
that  that  man  is  any  relation  to  me?  " 

"That  is  an  Irish  way  of  answering  my  question,  and 
looks  very  nmch  like  shuffling  evasion !  Now,  I  will  put 
the  question  direct.  I  suppose  you  do  not  need  to  be 
told  that  I  am  not  your  father ! " 

Iler  face  turned  dark-crimson  for  an  instant,  and  then 
whiter  than  before. 

"  I  mean  not  your  own  father,"  he  observed,  hastily. 

«  No,  sir." 

There  was  a  simultaneous  exclamation  from  Jacinto, 
Disbrowe  and  Frank  ;  but,  no  one  noticed  them,  and  Mr. 
De  Vere  went  on : 

"  Then,  as  every  one  has  a  father,  living  or  dead,  per- 
haps you  will  be  good  enough  to  tell  me  who  yours 
really  is?"        ' 

"  It  is  late  to  ask  that  question.  You  know  as  much 
of  the  matter  as  I  do  I  " 

Captain  Tempest  whistled. 

*'  Then  you  deny  all  knowledge  of  your  father  ?  " 

"  I  do,  sir.     I  know  of  no  such  person  in  the  world  I " 

"  Oh,  Jacquetta ! "  exclaimed  old  Grizzle,  holding  up 
her  hands  in  holy  horror. 

"  What  do  you  mean,  you  hag — you  murderess — you 
second  Jezebel  ?  "  exclaimed  Jacquetta,  turning  furiously 
upon  her.     "  Do  you  dare  to  say  I  lie  ?  " 

And  she  glared  upon  her  like  a  young  lioness,  ready  to 
spring. 

"  Jacquetta  De  Vere,  you  know  you  do  I "  said  Grizzle, 
boldly. 


A  PROUD  HEART  CRUSHED. 


239 


?♦ 


"  Come,  madain,  no  savage  outbursts  of  passion  her 
sternly  interposed  Mr.  De  Vere.  "  When  your  k'ave  Foii- 
t<;lle,  you  may  take  to  tistieutl's  as  soon  as  you  ph'ase; 
but,  you  will  be  good  enough,  both  of  you,  to  restrain 
your  natural  inclinations  in  my  presenee.  Once  again — 
and  for  the  last  time,  Jaec^uetta—  do  you  mean  to  say 
that  you  do  not  know  who  your  father  is?" 

"I  do  not.  By  heaven  and  all  its  hosts,  I  swear  it  I '* 
she  passionately  cried. 

"Then,  behold  him  here!  "exclaimed  Mr.  De  Vcre, 
pointing  to  Captain  Tempest,  who  arose  to  his  feet, 
triumphant.  "Oh,  falsest  of  the  falsi; !  that  you  whom  I 
])elieved  the  soul  of  frankness  and  hoinn',  could  l)e  guilty 
of  such  mean  deception  as  this!  And,  to  think,  that  I 
should  have  been  so  poor  a  dup(»,  to  be  t\joled  by  a  smil- 
ing face  and  a  smooth  tongue  !  Oh  !  never  till  now  did  I 
realized  '  how  fair  an  outside  falsehood  hath  ! '  " 

There  was  a  cry  from  dl,  and  a  unanimous  rising  to 
their  feet.  Jacquetta  stood  like  one  petrified — turned  to 
stone.  Mr.  De  Vere  sternly  waved  them  back,  and  went 
on : 

"  Your  very  countenance  convicts  you ;  for  you  have 
your  father's  face  !  And,  to  think  I  sliould  liave  ever 
cherished  the  spawn  of  such  a  viper !  t<^)  think  that  you 
could  have  known  this  and  acted  a  living  lie  all  these 
years  under  my  very  eyes ! — that  you  should  have  held 
secret  meetings  with  this  man,  and  given  him  money — my 
money — pilfered  from  me,  to  pay  him  and  this  wretched 
old  woman  to  keep  your  secret  I  Had  you  toUl  me  he 
was  your  father  in  time,  I  might  even  have  oveilooked 
the  disgrace  of  having  the  child  of  such  a  wr(^tch  con- 
nected with  my  family ;  but,  now  I  can  never  believe,  or 
trust,  or  forgive  you  !  The  daughter  of  such  a  father — 
of  such  a  mother,  bearing  my  name !  Oh  1  how  indeed 
have  I  fallen,  when  I  have  lived  to  see  such  a  day  ! " 

He  strode  up  and  do^vn  the  room,  like  one  beside  him- 
self with  grief  and  rage,  and  humiliation.  Still  she  stood 
like  one  turned  to  stone — mute,  voiceless,  motionless. 
She  had  a  vague  expectation  of  something  terrible,  but 
nothing  like  this.  She  passed  her  hand  over  her  eyes, 
like  one  in  a  dream. 


5 


\n 


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I.  ij 


1 11 


240 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


"  Come,  Jacquetta,  have  done  with  this,"  said  Captain 
Nick,  roughly.  "  We  have  had  enough  of  this  fooling. 
I'm  your  father,  and  that's  the  end  of  it.  And,  what's 
more,  you  know  it,  and  there  is  no  use  trying  to  back 
out.  Come,  be  a  good  girl,  and  don't  be  ashamed  of  tLe 
old  man  who  is  ready  to  stand  by  you  while  there  is  a 
shot  in  the  locker,  or  a  timber  of  this  old  hunk  hangs  to- 
gether." 

Ilis  voice  aroused  her  from  her  trance,  and,  looking  at 
him  fixedly,  she  turned  to  Grizzle,  and  said,  calmly : 

"  You  ought  to  know.  Do  not  deceive  me  now,  but, 
tell  me.     Is  he  my  father?" 

"  You  know  he  is.  What'ss  the  good  of  asking  ?  "  said 
Grizzle,  in  an  impatient  yet  somewhat  subdued  tone  ;  for 
there  was  that  in  the  young  girl's  very  calmness  that 
awed  her. 

"  Then  it  has  come  to  this,  at  last  I  I  knew  this  pleas- 
ant dream  could  not  last  forever !  " 

"  But,  you  thought  to  keep  it  off  as  long  as  possible, 
said  Mr.  De  Vere  sarcastically.  "  A  few  falsehoods," 
more  or  less,  made  little  difference  to  you." 

"  God  forgive  you,  Mr.  De  Vere !  From  you,  at  least,  I 
have  not  deserved  this." 

"No — you  have  deserved  much  consideration,  much 
kindness,  from  me  !  Oh,  false  heart !  that  I  should  ever 
have  believed  you  true !  " 

"  You  think  me  then  a  liar  and  an  impostor  ?  " 

Something  in  her  tone  moved  him ;  and  he  looked  in 
the  little,  sorrowful  face  and  beseeching  eyes,  with  their 
pitiful  look,  so  very  sad  to  see  in  eyes  so  proud  as  hers. 
But,  the  memory  of  all  Grizzle  had  told  him,  bearing 
so  powerfully  the  impress  of  truth,  came  back  to  him ; 
and  nerving  himself  with  remembered  wrongs,  he  savage- 
ly answered ; 

«Ido!" 

Her  clasped  hands  drv:)pped. 

"  Once  more-  -God  forgive  you,  Mr.  De  Vere  !  " 

"  Pray  for  yourself,"  he  said,  haughtily.  "  You  need 
forgiveness  as  much  as  me." 

"May  I  go?"  she  said,  wearily,  dropping  her  head. 
*'  I  am  tired  and  sick !    I  never  meant  to  wrong  you ; 


A  PROUD  HEART  CRUSHED. 


241 


I 


and,  if  you  would  only  believe  that,  I  could  forget  the 
rest." 

"I  do  not  believe  it,  Jacquetta !  I  can  never  believe 
you  more.  You  have  deceived  me  too  long  and  too  often 
for  that." 

She  leaned  heavily  against  a  chair. 

"  May  I  go  ?  Will  you  not  spare  me  ?  You  are  break- 
ing my  heart  I " 

"  Let  it  break  !  You  will  be  all  the  better  for  it,  since 
it  is  so  deceitful !  No,  you  shall  not  go  yet.  You  have 
not  heard  all.     Your  sins  have  found  you  out." 

"  Go  on !     I  am  listening  !  " 

"  Where  is  my  son's  child  ?  Where  is  this  child  of 
yours,  whose  existence  you  have  concealed  so  long?  " 

"Mr.  DeVerel" 

"  Oh !  start  and  look,  and  coin  fresh  lies  !  I  know  you 
of  old,  madam  !  Deny  it,  as  you  did  your  fatlier !  What 
an  unnatural  heart  you  must  have,  Jacquetta,  to  deny 
the  existence  of  your  own  child,  that  I  might  leave  all 
my  wealth  to  you  I  Answer  me :  where  is  my  son's 
child?" 

"  It  is  dead !    It  died  the  day  of  its  birtli ! '" 

"  It  is  false  !  "  said  Grizzle,  sternly.     "  It  lives  !  " 

"  You  hear  that !  "  said  Mr.  De  Vere,  triumphantly. 
"  Your  very  confederates  have  turned  against  you  !  Add 
no  more  falsehoods  to  the  rest.     My  grandchild  lives  !  " 

Again  the  bewildered  look  came  over  her. 

"  I  am  going  crazy,  I  think  I  You  told  me  he  was  dead," 
she  said,  turning  to  Grizzle. 

"  I  never  did.  You  paid  me  for  taking  care  of  it,  and 
concealing  its  existence  !  " 

Her  eye  turned  involuntarily  upon  Orrie. 

"  Yes,  look  !  "  said  Mr!  De  Vere,  bitterly.  "  How  well 
you  know  who  it  is  !    Does  she  not  bear  her  father's  face  ?  " 

"  Is  she  my  child  ?  " 

"  Paugh  !  you  sicken  me  with  this  acting  I  As  if  you 
needed  to  be  told  whose  child  she  was !  Speak — acknowl- 
edge the  truth ! " 

"  It  is  useless !     You  would  not  believe  me." 

"  Speak,  I  command  you !  I  have  a  right  to  know  I 
Is  she  not  your  daughter  ?  " 


I*  i. 


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vn 


i 


■  1. 


242 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


«  She  may  be.  I  do  not  know.  My  heart  always  told 
me  we  were  more  than  strangers." 

"  Oh !  it  did  ?  I  am  glad  your  heart  knew  how  to  tell 
the  truth  for  once,  as  it  does  not  seem  to  be  generally  in 
the  habit  of  doing  so !  So,  Miss  Jacquetta  De  Vere,  of 
Fontelle  Hall,  has  found  a  father  in  the  outlawed 
Captain  Nick  Tempest,  and  a  daughter  in  old  Grizzle 
Howlet's  prote(iee^  all  in  the  same  day  ?  " 

She  dropped  her  face  in  her  hands  with  a  low,  bitter 
cry,  that  could  not  be  repressed.  Every  one  present  sat 
mute,  waiting  lor  what  was  to  come  next.  Mr.  De  Vere's 
brow  did  not  relax ;  for,  like  all  slow  to  anger,  he  was 
still  slower  to  forgive.  His  lip  curled  scornfully  as  he 
looked  on  the  little,  drooping  figure  and  bowed  head, 
once  so  high  and  haughty. 

"  So  you  can  feel  shame  ?  you  can  feel  remorse  ?  you 
can  feel  humiliation  ?  " 

"  I  am  not  ashamed  !  " 

"  I  am  sorry  to  hear  it !  But  I  forgot — those  who  stoop 
to  deception,  as  you  have  done,  seldom  feel  shame." 

She  raised  her  head  and  hands. 

"  Oh,  my  God ! "  she  said,  as  the  words  of  the  dying 
cardinal  came  to  her  mind,  "  If  I  had  loved  thee  as  I  have 
loved  this  man,  Thou  would'st  not  have  cast  me  off 
thus!" 

There  was  a  pause,  which  no  one  seemed  inclined  to 
break.     She  arose  to  her  feet,  at  last.. 

"  Is  there  anything  more  ?    What  else  have  I  done  ?  " 

"  Ah !  you  are  anxious  to  be  gone ;  but  I  have  not 
quite  done  with  you  yet.  Wliy  did  you  never  tell  mo 
what  sort  of  a  mother  you  had  ?  " 

"I  did  not  think  it  necessary.  It  could  have  done 
no  good." 

"  Oh,  so  you  do  not  deny  that  f  Well,  I  am  glad  you 
perceive  the  necessity  of  speaking  the  truth,  at  last ! 
You  did  not  think  it  necessary  ?  No  I  dare  say  not  I 
You  took  good  care  I  should  not  know  it ! " 

"  Must  I  answer  for  my  mother's  sins  ?  " 

"  Yes ;  the  sins  of  the  father  shall  be  visited  on  the 
children,  even  to  the  third  and  fourth  generations,  saith 
the  Lord." 


A  PROUD  HEART  CRUSHED. 


243 


"You  can  quote  Scripture  against  me,  too.  Heaven 
and  earth  seems  to  have  forsaken  me  alike !  Ah,  well ! 
let  it  be !     What  else,  Mr.  De  Vere  ?  " 

"  The  worst  of  all ! "  he  said,  in  a  low,  passionate  voice. 
"  You  have  been  unfaithful  to  your  marriage- vow !  " 

Her  Avhite  face  turned  crimson,  and  she  started  like  one 
who  had  received  a  spear  thrust  through  the  heart. 
Turning  for  the  first  time  towards  Disbrowe,  she  gave 
him  a  look  he  never  forgot. 

"  Oh,  coward  and  traitor  I     Is  this  your  revenge  ?  " 

"  Ha !  Then  he  knows,  too  ? "  cried  Mr.  De  Vere, 
eagerly.  "I  did  doubt  that;  but  this  confirms  it !  Then 
you  are  guilty  ?  " 

"  What  has  he  told  you  ?  "  she  cried,  fiercely. 

A  flush  of  haughty  anger  and  humiliation  tinged  the 
handsome  face  of  Disbrowe,  but  he  said  nothing. 

"  It  is  false  I "  she  cried,  forgetting  in  her  passion  all 
respect  for  her  questioner.  "lie  must  have  told  you. 
No  one  else  knew — " 

She  checked  herself,  and  again  turned  scarlet. 

"  Knew  what  ? "  said  Mr.  De  Vere,  with  a  piercing 
glance. 

She  made  a  frenzied  gesture,  like  one  goaded  to  despera- 
tion. 

"  I  will  not  tell !  Suspect  what  you  like !  You  have 
laid  this  trap  to  ensnare  me  !  I  can  fall  no  lower  in  your 
eyes  than  I  have  fallen  now.  Think  me  as  guilty  as  you 
please,  the  whole  of  you  !  I  am  ruined  and  disgraced, 
and  it  matters  little  what  becomes  of  me,  now  I " 

"  Then  you  do  not  deny  it  ?  "  he  said,  significantly. 

"  I  deny  nothing  !  I  acknowledge  nothing !  You  think 
me  lost,  body  and  soul !     Think  so  still,  but  let  me  go ! " 

"What,  without  your  dear  friend?  Come  hither.  Sir 
Spaniard !  Is  it  the  custom  in  your  country,  when  a 
wounded  stranger  is  received  into  a  man's  house,  to  re- 
turn his  kindness  as  you  have  returned  mine  ?  " 

"  What  has  he  done  ? "  demanded  Jacquetta,  coming 
over  and  laying  her  hand,  half-caressingly,  half-protect- 
ingly,  half-defiantly,  on  the  boy's  shoulder,  and  looking 
around  like  a  stag  at  bay. 

"  Nny,  Jacqin'tt'.i,  you  would  not  have  me  answer  that 


1; 


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244 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


question,  I  trust?  But,  Alfred,  I  must  Lave  an  explana- 
tion from  you  I    What  do  you  know  ?  " 

"  Nothing,  sir." 

"  Nothing  that  you  choose  to  teii,  you  mean.  Alfred 
Disbrowe,  I  command  you  to  tell  !  This — this — person  is 
my  son's  wife,  and  I  have  a  right  to  know  !  " 

"  I  have  nothing  to  tell,  sir,"  said  Disbrowe,  so  stunned 
by  all  he  had  heard,  that  he  scarcely  knew  whether  he 
was  dreaming  or  waking. 

"  You  have ! "  said  Jacquetta,  in  a  ringing  voice. 
«  Deny  it  not !     Tell  all  you  know!  " 

"  You  have  accused  me  of  doing  that  already  I "  he 
said,  with  a  haughty  bow. 

"  Then  you  have  not  told  ?  " 

He  only  replied  by  a  look.  He  would  not  answer  such 
a  charge. 

"  Ah  !  and  I  have  wronged  you  1  I  am  sorry  I  will  you 
forgive  me  ?  " 

"  I  have  nothing  to  forgive." 

"  No ;  it  is  scarcely  worth  while  stooping  to  forgive  so 
lost  a  wretch  as  I.  Shall  I  tell  you  what  he  saw,  Mr.  De 
Vere,  since  he  will  not  ?  " 

"  As  you  please.     It  matters  little." 

"  Jacquetta !  "  said  the  boy  in  a  trembling  voice. 

"  Hush !  fear  not !  Then  through  the  door  of  this 
boy's  room  he  saw  me  kiss  him  !  " 

«  Ah  1  " 

"  How  very  indiscreet  of  you  to  leave  the  door  open," 
said  Grizzle  with  a  laugh  and  a  shrug. 

Jacinto  started  up. 

«  Jacquetta,  I  will  tell !     I  will ! "  .  '    - 

"  Do,  at  your  peril !     Not  one  word,  sir ! " 

"But—" 

"  Not  a  word !     I  will  never  forgive  you  if  you  do.'* 

The  boy  hid  his  face  in  his  hands  with  a  groan. 

"  If  you  have  anything  to  say,  young  sir,  out  with  it  I " 
SLid  Mr.  De  Vere  sternly. 

Again  Jacinto  started  up. 

"  Oh,  Jacquetta,  I  must  1  It  was  my  fault,  and  I  will 
take  the  consequences.  I  will  tell  I  I  must  tell  I  I  can- 
not bear  to  think  I  was  the  cause  of — " 


A  PROUD  HEART  CRUSHED. 


245 


'7(1 


"  You  are  the  cause  of  nothing.  In  my  guilt  and  deg- 
radation I  stand  alone !  From  all  blame  you  are  free  I 
You  can  say  nothing  that  can  free  me  from  the  crime  of 
having  such  a  father,  such  a  mother,  and  such  a  child ! 
I  am  the  daughter  of  an  outlaw  and  a  villain,  ruined  and 
disgraced  !  —it  has  an  ugly  sound ;  but  it  is  the  truth, 
though  I  may  never  have  spoken  it  before.  Good-bye 
my  friend  ;  you,  at  least,  believe  me  innocent  of  one  crime 
with  whicli  I  have  been  charged,  and  that  is  something. 
Mr.  De  Vere,  what  next  ?  I  do  not  wish  to  trouble  you 
but  as  short  a  time  as  I  can.  I  await  your  command  to 
go." 

"  It  will  come  presently.  Jacquetta  De  Vere,  I  am 
sorry  for  you."  ' 

"  There  is  no  need,  sir.     What  does  it  matter  ?  " 

"  What  will  become  of  you  when  you  leave  here  ?  " 

"  I  am  a  small  girl,  sir ;  and  in  the  Potter's  Field  there 
is  room  for  another  vagrant." 

Some  of  the  old  love  he  had  felt  for  her  came  back,  as 
he  saw  that  faint,  cold  smile. 

"  Oh !  Jacquetta,  why  have  you  done  this  ?  Why 
were  you  so  deceitful  ?  "  .« 

"  We  will  not  speak  of  it,  sir,  if  you  please.  I  do  not 
think  I  can  quite  bear  it  yet.  Forget  the  past,  and  think 
of  me  as  you  have  learned  to  to-day." 

"  Jacquetta,  was  it  for  his  home  and  wealth  you  mar- 
ried my  unfortunate  son  ?  " 

"  I'd  rather  not  answer  that  question.  You  have 
already  answered  it  to  your  own  satisfaction ;  and  noth- 
ing a  confirmed  liar,  such  as  I  am,  can  say,  is  to  be  be- 
lieved." 

"  You  were  only  a  child  then — a  little  child !  was  du- 
plicity bora  with  you,  Jacquetta  ?  " 

"  Yery  likely,  sir.     You  forget  my  mother." 

"  Ah,  true."  His  brow  darkened  again.  "  And  so  you 
■will  go  with  this  man  ?  " 

*'  He  is  my  father,  sn\" 

"  Oh !  you  acknow  ledge  it  at  last — do  you  ?  you  unduti- 
f ul  little  minx  !  "  growled  the  captain. 

"  Is  the  list  of  my  crimes  ended,  Mr.  De  Yere  ?  Whea 
may  I  go  ?  " 


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246 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


I 
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I 


"  As  soon  as  you  please.  I  wUl  ring  and  give  orders  to 
have  your  things  packed  up." 

"  No,  sir,  you  will  not!  Bare  and  penniless  as  I  came 
to  Fon telle,  I  will  leave  it  I  Good- by,  Mr.  De  Vere  ;  you 
were  a  kind  friend  to  me  always,  and  I  shall  pray  God  to 
forgive  you  for  the  wrong  you  have  done  me  this  day. 
He  is  more  merciful  than  man,  and  perhaps  He  may  for- 
give even  so  lost  a  sinner  as  I  am." 

Her  voice  trembled  a  little  as  she  moved  one  step 
away.  ^ 

"  One  thing  further.  Since  this  is  my  child,  may  she 
not  come  with  me  ?  Neither  she  nor  I  will  ever  trouble 
you  again." 

"  No ! "  said  Mr.  De  Vere ;  "  my  grandchild  stays  in 
Fontfclle  Hall ! " 

"  I  cannot  give  her  up  so  1 "  she  said,  i^assionately — 
she  is  all  i  have  left  to  love !  Orrie,  I  am  your  mother, 
will  you  not  come  with  me?"  -► 

That  pleading  smile ;  that  quivering  lip — how  pitiful 
they  were  to  see ! 

"  I  am  your  grandfather,  my  child.  If  you  will  stay 
with  me  you  shall  live  here  and  be  a  lady.  You  shall 
have  everything  your  heart  can  desire." 

Orrie  looked  from  one  to  the  other,  and  then  up  at  Dis- 
browe,  on  whose  knee  she  still  sat.  His  face  was  averted, 
but  he  held  her  closer  in  his  arm. 

"  Will  he  stay,  too?"  she  asked.  .  - 

«  Yes,"  said  Mr.  De  Vere.  . 

"  Then  so  will  I ! "  said  Orrie.     "  I  won't  go ! " 

Something  faded  out  of  the  face  of  Jacquetta — it  could 
not  be  color,  for  she  was  deadly  white ;  it  was  as  if  a 
flickering  light  had  gone  out  from  a  lamp.  She  put  one 
trembling  hand  up  before  her  face  without  a  word. 

"  The  last  unkindest  cut  of  all,"  quoted  Captain  Tem- 
pest, touched  in  spite  of  himself. 

"  Ring  the  bell,  Frank,  and  tell  Reynolds  to  serve  din- 
ner instantly,"  said  Mr.  De  Vere,  coldly. 

Jacquetta  lifted  her  white  face,  and  made  a  step  toward 
the  door.  Captain  Tempest,  Grizzle  and  Jacinto,  rose  too. 
No  one  else  moved. 

She  reached  the  door ;  she  paused  on  the  threshold,  her 


A  PROUD  HEART  CRUSHED. 


247 


face  worked  convulsively,  and  sne  turned  back   with  a 
great  cry . 

«  I  cannot  go  like  this !  Will  no  one  say  good-by  to 
me  before  I  leave  ?  " 

"  Certainly,"  said  Mr.  De  Vere,  "  good-by.  ^\nd  in  the 
future  I  hope  you  will  learn  to  be  true  ! " 

"  And  that  is  all  ?  And  this  is  what  I  have  loved  so 
well  ?  Oh  !  my  heart !  this  is  hardest  of  all !  Augusta, 
Orrio,  Disbrowe — silent  all !  And  you,  too,  Frank,"  she 
uaid,  in  a  voice  of  sorrowful  reproach.  "  And  I  trusted 
to  you." 

There  Avas  a  great  sob  from  I'rank,  and  the  next  mo- 
ment he  was  over,  holding  her  in  his  arms,  and  flashing 
defiance  at  all  the  rest. 

"  It's  a  shame !  it's  a  blamed  shame !  it'vS  a  horrid 
shame  !  and  I  don't  believe  a  word  of  it !  They  have  no 
business  to  treat  you  so ! "  said  Frank,  with  something 
like  a  howl  of  mingled  grief  and  rage. 

She  smiled  sadly. 

«  Then  you  do  love  me  a  little,  yet,  Frank  ?  " 

"  Yes,  I  do !  and  I  always  will,  too !  I  don't  believe  a 
single  thing  they  said  about  you,  and  I  never  will  believe 
it  as  long  as  I  live — hanged  if  I  do !  " 

There  is  something  in  a  boy's  grief — it  is  so  honest  and 
hearty,  and  outspoken,  and  comes  so  straight  from  the 
heart.  It  would  have  brought  tears  from  Jacquetta's 
eyes  if  anything  could ;  but  she  had  none  to  shed — she 
felt  like  a  stone,  yet  with  such  a  dreadful  pain  at  her 
heart. 

"  Good-by,  my  dear  Frank,  my  brother  1  and  do  not 
quite  forget  Jacquetta !  " 

Frank  was  sobbing  away  in  good  earnest.  Jacinto  had 
his  hand  before  his  eyes,  to  hide  the  tears  that  fell  hot 
and  fast.  Augusta  lay  perfectly  still — for  a  deadly  sick- 
ness had  seized  her,  and  she  had  fainted,  though  they 
knew  it  not.  Disbrowe  sat  like  a  figure  of  marble,  with 
his  face  hidden  in  his  hand  and  the  long  locks  of  his  fall- 
ing hair.  Mr.  De  Yere  was  cold  and  stern  as  a  Spartan 
father  condemning  hip  only  son  to  death. 

•*  Farewell  to  all  I  "  said  Jacquetta,  gently,  "  who  loved 
me  once  !    Farewell  to  old  Fontelle  I  " 


1 

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248 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


She  turned  away.  The  rest  went  after  her.  There 
was  a  few  moments'  death-like  pause,  and  then  they 
heard  the  hall-door  heavily  closed,  and  something  in  each 
heart  crashed  with  it.  They  knew  then  that  Jacquetta 
— bright,  beautiful  Jacquetta — the  gay,  sunny  household- 
fairy,  had  left  Fontelle  forever  ! 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

"  HE  GIVETH  HIS  BELOVED  SLEEP.'* 

*'  Lord  Heron  he  dwells  in  his  castle  high, 
Rosalind  sleeps  on  the  moor  below,  » 

He  loved  to  live,  and  she  loved  to  die  ; 
Which  loved  the  truest,  the  angels  know." 

—Ballad. 

Mr.  De  Verb  had  made  a  gesture,  as  ii  casting  some- 
thing from  him. 

"  It  is  gone — so  is  she,  and  peace  go  with  her  !  Frank, 
is  dinner  ready  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know ;  and,  what's  more,  I  don't  care ! "  howled 
Frank,  wiping  his  eyes  and  nose  furiously,  in  his  grief. 

"  Francis  I "  exclaimed  his  uncle,  in  angry  displeasure. 

"  I  don't,  then — not  one  bit  I  You  treated  Jack  shame- 
fully, and  I  don't  care  if  you  turn  me  out  of  doors  for  say- 
ing it.  I'm  blamed  if  I  don't  go,  anyway !  I'll  run  off 
and  go  to  sea — I'll  enlist !  You  see  if  I  don't !  You  had 
no  business  to  treat  Jack  so  !  "  said  Frank,  with  another 
howl. 

«  Francis ! " 

"  Going  and  believing  that  old  lying  Grizzle  Howlet, 
and  ready  to  swear  to  everything  she  said,  and  snapping 
up  Jack  without  giving  her  a  chance  to  say  a  word  for 
herself  !  "I  say  it's  a  shame !  a  blamed  shame !  And  if 
I  had  known  that  was  what  you  wanted  of  her,  I  shouldn't 
have  gone  one  foot ;  no,  not  if  you  were  to  hang,  draw, 
and  quarter  me  for  it !  " 

"  Francis  !  "  - 

"  I  don't  believe  she  ever  did  one  single  thing  that  you 
said  she  did — only  she  was  too  proud  to  deny  it,  when 
she  saw  you  believed  that  hateful,  old,  ugly  Mother  How- 


*'HE  GIVETH  HIS  BEI.OVED  SLEEP."     249 


let  faster  than  her,"  vociferated  Frank,  ranting  furiously 
up  and  down  the  room.  "And  that  old  scoundrel,  Nick 
Tempest,  too,  going  and  saying  she  was  his  daughter — 
the  old  villain  !  I  should  like  to  know  what  everybody 
will  say  when  they  hear  how  you've  treated  her,  and 
turned  her  out  of  doors.  I  should  think  you  would  be 
Hshamed  ever  to  show  your  face  again,  Uncle  Rob  I " 

«  Francis  1  " 

"  Oh,  you  may  ^  Francis '  as  much  as  you  like ;  but  I 
don't  care  1  I  will  say  just  what  I  think,  if  you  were  a 
dozen  uncles  ten  times  over.  I  suppo.^e  people  think 
boys  ought  to  sit  with  their  fingers  in  their  mouths,  and 
never  say  a  word,  just  because  they  are  boys,  as  if  they 
could  help  that !  I  tell  you.  Uncle  Rob,  if  I  was  you,  I 
would  be  ashamed  ever  to  show  my  face  again  I  And  you 
a  justice  of  the  peace,  too !  A  pretty  iustice  of  the  peace 
you  are,  aiding  and  abetting  robbers  and  murderesses  ! " 

"  Leave  the  room,  sir  I  " 

"  I'm  going  to,  and  the  house  too,  if  you  like ;  and  I 
will  say  again  and  again  that  it  was  a  shame !  " 

"  Will  you  be  silent  and  leave  the  room  ?  " 

"  I  am  a-going  to ;  but  I  say  again  and  again,  it  was  a 
shame !  It  was  a  shame — there  !  It  was  a  shame — there  I 
It  was  a  shame — now  then  I  " 

Mr.  De  Vere  sprung  up  in  a  rage,  collared  the  intrepid 
Frank  and  shook  him  till  he  was  breathless. 

"Now,  will  you  say  it?"  he  exclaimed  between  his 
teeth. 

"  It — wa-a-s  a  sh-a-a-me,  there  !  "  said  Frank,  between 
his  chattering  teeth. 

Mr.  De  Vere  seized  the  bell- cord,  and  rung  a  peal  that 
brought  up  Reynolds. 

"  Here,  Reynolds,  take  this  fellow  off,  and  lock  him  up 
in  his  room,  and  bring  me  the  key." 

Mr.  Reynolds,  who  would  have  manifested  no  surprise, 
and  would  probably  have  obeyed  without  a  word,  if  his 
master  had  told  him  to  behead  him,  blandly  seized  Frank, 
and  began  dragging  him  off,  while  that  young  gentleman 
kicked  and  struggled  manfully.  But  kicks  and  struggles 
were  of  no  avail,  Reynolds  was  getting  the  best  of  the 
battle. 


I: 


W 


iri 


fm 


iLu..  ' -t.- 


4 .  ^  I 
■?  ij'i 


2.»;o 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


II 


"  It  was  a  shame — there  I "  yelled  Frank,  as  Reynolds 
pulled  him  through  the  door. 

Orrie,  who  saw  something  exquisitely  ludicrous  in  the 
whole  scene,  gave  vent  to  a  ►'hrill  peal  of  laughter  at  the 
youth's  discomfiture. 

"  Dinner  is  served,  sir,"  said  another  servant,  tlirowing 
open  the  door. 

"  Very  well !  Augusta,  will  you  take  my  arm  ?  "  said 
her  father,  rising. 

out  Augusta  spoke  not — moved  not. 
.    "  Augusta  !  "  he  said,  in  alarm. 

There  was  no  reply. 

He  went  over,  lifted  her  head,  and  saw  the  closed  eyes, 
and  corpse- like  face. 

"  Good  heavens !  she  has  fainted ! "  he  cried  in  con- 
sternation. And  once  more  seizing  the  bell-rope,  he  pulled 
it,  as  if  he  would  have  torn  it  down. 

Two  or  three  servants  answered  the  summons. 

"  Bring  water,  salts,  hartshorn,  something,  anything, 
everything !     Miss  Augusta  has  fainted  !  " 

They  fled  to  obey.  Restoratives  were  applied,  and  in 
a  few  moments  the  large,  heavy  eyes  unclosed,  and  fell 
on  the  father's  face. 

"  Are  you  better,  my  darling  ?  "  he  said,  bending  over 
her. 

Her  eyes  waiidered  around  in  a  vague,  wild  way. 

"  Oh,  papa,  where  is  she  ?  " 

«  Who,  my  love  ?  " 

"  Jacquetta !     Oh,  papa  I  it  was  dreadful !  " 

"  Leave  the  room  !  "  said  Mr.  De  Vere,  sternly,  to  the 
curious  servants,  v/ho  reluctantly  obeyed. 

"  Papa,  what  have  you  done  to  her  ? "  she  cried  startl- 
ing up. 

"  She  is  gone,  Augusta !  She  will  never  come  back 
more." 

"Papa!"  ■       " 

"  I  regret  the  necessity  as  much  as  you  can  possibly  do, 
Augusta  ;  but  justice  must  have  its  way.  She  has  been 
weighed  in  the  balance  and  found  wanting." 

"  And  you  have  turned  her  out  of  doors  ?  " 

He  turned  crimson. 


(< 


HE  GIVKTH  HIS  BiaOVED  SLEEP."     251 


"  I  could  no  longer  keep  her  here  with  respect  to  my- 
self, my  daughter !  " 

"  P(K>r  little  sister!"  said  Augusta,  hittcrly,  "this  is 
the  return  we  have  made  her  for  all  her  love  !  Poor  little 
Jacquetta !  " 

"  She  was  guilty,  Augusta ! "  said  her  father,  sternly, 
"  She  carried  a  false  hejirt  under  that  fair  face.  Let  us 
speak  no  more  of  her.     Dinner  is  waiting." 

"  Excuse  me,  papa,  I  do  not  feel  well,  and  would  rather 
go  to  my  room." 

"  Whatever  you  wish,  my  dear,"  he  said,  calndy.  And 
she  passed  from  the  room  without  a  word. 

He  turned  to  Dishrowe,  hut  he  had  never  moved. 
Orrie,  too,  lay  very  quiet,  with  her  arms  around  his  neck, 
and  her  head  on  his  breast. 

"  Alfred,"  said  Mr.  De  \''ere,  gently,  for  there  was  some- 
thing chilling  in  this  shrinking  off  of  all. 

The  young  man  lifted  his  head,  and  raised  his  eyes, 
and  his  uncle  started  to  see  how  pale,  and  cold,  and  stern 
he  looked. 

"  I  am  sorry  if  this  unpleasant  scene  has  pained  you, 
but  it  was  unavoidable.  Dinner  is  waiting — ^viU  you 
come  down?     You  have  tasted  nothing  since  breakfast." 

Captain  Disbrowe  gently  placed  Orrie  on  the  ground, 
1.--J  arose. 

"  Of  course  you  will  not  think  of  leaving  us  for  a  few 
days,  now.  It  will  be  so  lonely  here  that  we  can  ill  spare 
you." 

"  Thank  you  !  I  believe  I  shall  carry  out  my  original 
design,  and  leave  to-day,"  he  said,  in  a  voice  of  chillhig 
coldness. 

"  Leave  to-day  !     My  dear  Alfred,  you  do  not  mean  it ! " 

He  bowed  slightly. 

"  Will  you  have  the  goodness  to  deliver  my  luggage  to 
whoever  I  may  send  for  it,  to-morrow  ? — and  make  my 
adieux  to  Miss  De  Vere  and  Frank ! " 

"  Alfred ! — my  dear  boy ! — what  do  you  mean  ?  " 

He  was  almost  pitiful  in  his  earnestness,  and  in  the 
gathering  sense  of  his  loneliness,  and  he  looked  earnestly, 
wistfully,  in  his  nephew's  face.  But  that  proud,  fuU, 
handsome  face  was  as  cold  and  inflexible  now,  as  his  own 


M 


It;  •■  rril 


•I'll 


:  ■;.! 


''■■  I 


11 


252 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


had  been  a  few  short  moments  before,  when  listening  to 
another  pleader. 

"  I  am  going,  sh*.  I  thank  you  for  all  your  kindness 
to  me  since  I  came.     Good-'oy.'*  > 

"  Alfred,  you  an^  angry  '? " 

"  No,  sir — not  that  1  am  aware  of." 

"  You  are  more — you  are  grieved,  hurt,  and  deeply 
offended." 

lie  only  made  a  motion  with  his  hand,  and  turned  to 
leave  the  room. 

"  No  ;  you  shall  not  go  1 "  said  his  uncle,  flrndy,  «  until 
you  tell  me  what  this  means.     Is  it  because  she,  Ja — " 

"  Excuse  me,  sir  I — I  do  not  care  for  hearing  that  name 
again." 

"  Is  it  because  she  is  gone  ?  " 

«  Not  because  she  is  gone,"  he  said,  coldly,  "  but  because 
of  the  way  she  went." 

"  She  was  guilty  1 " 

«  She  may  be.  You  ought  to  kno  w  best,  since  you  have 
known  her  longest." 

"  She  has  deceived  me  I " 

«  Well ;  so  you  told  herself." 

"  And  she  did  not  deny  it." 

"Pardon  me — I  think  she  did/" 

"Well;  what  matter?"  said  his  uncle,  impatiently; 
"  she  was  guilty,  none  the  less.  So  I  could  not  act  other- 
wise than  I  have  done." 

"  I  do  not  presume  to  criticize  your  conduct." 

"  Yet  you  are  angry.     Why  is  it  ?  " 

"  I  have  been  deceived — that's  all,"  said  Disbrowe 
quietly. 

"  Deceived  ?  " 

"Yes,  sir  I" 

"How?" 

"  The  person  I  was  led  to  believe  your  daughter,  my 
cousin,  and  a  young  lady,  turns  out  to  be  a  wife,  a  mother, 
and  the  daughter  of  one  whom  she  herself  justly  called 
the  greatest  villain  unhung  I " 

«  Do  you  love  her  still  ?  " 

"  Excuse  me  answering  that  question,  and  allow  me  to 
bid  you,  once  more,  farewell." 


*'HE  GIVETH  HIS  BKLOVKD  SLEEP."     253 


led 


to 


«  You  will  go  ?  " 

A  bow  was  his  answer. 

"  I  have  acted  for  the  best,  and  yet  you  all  turn  against 
me.  T  loved  lier  myself ;  and  yet,  because  I  obeyed  the 
command  uf  justice,  I  am  looked  upon  as  a  monster." 

"  Charity  is  as  j>reat  a  virtue  as  justice." 

«  Good-by,  Alfred." 

«  Farewell,  sir." 

They  shook  hands,  but  how  cold  and  quiet  one  hand 
was  1 

Disbrowe  turned  to  quit  the  room,  and  his  uncle  sunk 
into  a  cliair  and  buried  his  face  in  his  hands.  A  child's 
shrill  scr(nim  echoed  through  the  house,  and  little  Orrie 
was  clinging  to  him,  wildly. 

"  Oh,  don't  go  1 — stay  with  me  !  " 

lie  stooped  and  put  liis  arm  around  her. 

"  You  must  be  quiet,  Orrie,  and  let  me  go — I  can't 
stay." 

"  Well,  take  me  with  you,  tlien  V '' 

"  No,  I  cannot  do  that,  either.  You  must  stay  here. 
If  you  cry,  now,  I  shall  not  like  you.  Will  you  be 
quiet?" 

"  Yes,"  sobbed  Orrie. 

"  Then,  good-by  !     Now  let  me  go." 

He  kissed  her  tenderly.  "  For  her  mother's  sake,"  he 
said,  gently ;  and  then  he  let  her  go,  and  quitted  the 
room. 

He  ordered  his  horse,  and  in  a  few  moments  was  in  the 
saddle,  and  galloping  away,  as  if  the  arch-fiend  himself 
was  after  him,  toward  the  Mermaid  Inn.  He  knew  he 
would  hardly  reach  it  that  night ;  but  he  would  almost  as 
soon  have  passed  it  in  a  wolf's  den,  as  under  the  roof 
from  which  Jacquetta  had  been  expelled. 

How  he  thought  and  thought,  as  he  rode  along,  until 
thought  became  agony,  and  he  dashed  over  the  ground 
like  one  mad  to  escape  fr  im  himself.  He  felt  sure  that 
they  had  taken  her  to  the  lone  inn,  and  he  was  glad  that 
it  would  be  dark  long  before  he  reached  it,  so  he  would 
not  be  obliged  to  look  even  on  the  house  that  held  her. 
Not  for  worlds  would  he  have  looked  on  that  fair,  bright 
face  again — not  for  ten  thousand  worlds  would  he  have 


III 


t 

J- 


1:1 


254 


THE  DARK  v^ECRET. 


touched  that  small,  white  hand  it  had  once  been  such  hap- 
piness to  hold.  He  tried  to  shut  out  the  "  haunting  shape, 
the  image  gay,"  that  flashed  before  him  in  all  its  beauty, 
as  if  in  deriding  mockery,  until  his  very  brain  reeled. 
He  dashed  and  plunged  furiously  along  through  the 
deepening  night,  almost  mad  with  impatience  to  reach 
the  Mermaid.  There  was  a  possibility  of  his  meeting 
Captain  Nick  Tempest  there,  and  a  diabolical  determina- 
tion filled  his  heart  that  one  or  the  other  should  leave  it 
a  dead  man.  The  Spanish  boy,  too — he  felt  as  if  it  would 
be  a  direct  mercy  from  heaven  io  twist  his  neck  for  him ; 
and,  in  his  present  savage  mood,  he  could  have  done  it 
without  remorse. 

The  daylight  faded,  and  faded,  behind  the  western  hills, 
and  the  holy  calm  of  a  soft  spring  night  settled  over  moor, 
and  forest,  and  flowing  river.  Up  rose  the  "  young  May 
moon,"  serene  and  silvery,  smiling  down  like  an  angel-face 
on  the  young  rider  dashing  along  the  lonely  road  at  such 
a  frenzied  pace.  There  was  something  of  heaven  in  the 
holy  hush  and  drowsy  calm  of  that  bright,  moonlit  night, 
and  something  of  its  peace  stole  into  the  passion-tossed 
heart  of  the  young  Englishman.  He  looked  up  at  the 
face  of  the  serene  sky,  where  the  serene  moon  sailed,  and 
reverently  uncovered  his  head,  awed  by  the  deep,  solemn 
beauty  of  the  pale,  bright  night.  The  cool  breeze  lifted, 
lightly,  the  clustering  locks  of  his  dark  hair,  and  calmed 
the  feverish  brow  beneath,  until  his  high  heart-beating 
subsided,  and  he  rode  along  in  a  subdued  and  decidedly 
more  Christian  mood. 

The  eastern  sky  was  ablaze  with  the  crimson  and  gold 
heralds  of  the  coming  morn,  when  the  tired  horse  and 
rider  halted  at  the  door  of  the  Mermaid  Inn.  Everything 
was  profoundly  still,  the  shutters  closed  and  the  door 
barred,  and  its  master  far  in  the  land  of  dreams.  But  our 
impatient  young  Briton  cared  little  what  brilliant  visions 
of  princely  custom  Old  Bob  Rowlie  was  indulging  in  ;  and, 
with  the  l:>utt  end  of  his  horsewhip,  knocked  furiously  at 
the  door  in  a  way  that  might  have  awoke  the  dead. 

Ten  minutes  elavsped — during  which  Disbrowe  kept  up 
a  steady  cannonade  at  the  door,  until  there  seemed  some 
danger  of  his  beating  it  down  altogether ;  and  then  an 


"HE  GIVETH  HIS  BEI.OVED  SLEEP."     255 


upper  window  was  opened,  a  red  woolen  night-cap  pro- 
traded,  and  a  startled  voice  demanded  who  was  there. 

"  A  tired  traveler.  How  long  do  you  intend  to  keep  me 
waiting  here  ?  Come  down  and  open  the  door,  you  old 
villain  I " 

Thus  civilly  apostrophized,  Mr.  Rowlie  drew  in  his  head, 
shuffled  down-stairs,  and  blinking  very  much,  held  the 
door  open  for  his  early  customer  to  enter. 

"  Where  is  my  horse  to  go  ?  See  that  he  is  attended  to 
directly  ;  and  let  me  have  a  bed  as  soon  as  possible.  I 
feel  completely  used  up." 

Old  Bob  led  the  way  up-stairs  to  a  small  hole  in  the 
wall  containing  a  bed  and  a  chair,  and  informed  Disbrowe 
it  was  his  "  best  bedroom." 

"  Oh,  it  will  do  well  enough,"  said  the  young  man,  cast- 
ing a  careless  glance  around.  "  See  that  my  horse  is  well 
cared  for  and  carefully  rubbed  down." 

"  Yes  sir,"  said  Mr.  Rowlie. 

"And  look  here,  my  friend,  wli  \t  do  they  call  you?" 
said  Disbrowe,  divesting  himself  of  his  coat  and  boots. 

"  My  name's  Rowlie,  sir,"  said  the  host  of  the  Mermaid, 
in  his  slow  and  solemn  way.  "  Mister — Robert — Ed'ard 
— Rowlie,  gineral  dealer  in  lickers  and  refreshment  for 
man  and  beasts. 

"  Well,  Mr.  Robert  Edward  Rowlie,  how  many  other 
guests  have  you  at  present  in  the  house  ?  " 

Mr.  Rowlie  looked  severely  at  the  bed- post  nearest  him 
a  moment,  in  deep  thought,  and  then  shook  his  head. 

"  We  hain't  got  any  at  this  jiresent :  no — not  any.  It's 
quiet  here — remarkably  so." 

"  So  I  should  say.  But  there  was  one — Captain  Tem- 
I)est — is  he  not  here  ?  " 

]\Tr.  Rowlie  looked  with  increasing  severity  at  the  bed- 
post again,  until  he  had  sufficiently  collected  his  faculties 
to  reply. 

"  No,  sir;  he  ain't  here — leastways,  just  at  present;  no 
— he  ain't." 

"  Do  you  expect  him  soon  ?  " 

"  Well,"  said  Mr.  Rowlie,  scratching  his  head,  or  more 
properly  speaking,  his  night-cap,  "  there  ain't  no  saying 
about  tiiat.     He  might,  and  then  again  he  mightn't." 


Ki;. 'Sf 


\W 


?:'  f^ 


'in 


It 


Mi;'-' 


256 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


"  Well,  what  do  you  think  ?  "  said  Disbrowe,  impatient- 
ly.    "  Do  you  think  he  will  come  to-day  ?  " 

"  Well,  now,  I  really  couldn't  say,"  said  Mr.  Rowlie, 
with  a  look  of  helpless  distress.  "  There  ain't  never 
putting  any  dependence  onto  him.  He  might,  and  then 
again — " 

"  He  mightn't,"  interrupted  Disbrowe.  "  Perfectly  sat- 
isfactory !  There,  you  may  go  now,  my  intelligent  friend ; 
but,  should  he  come,  will  you  just  have  the  goodness  to 
present  him  Captain  Disbrowe's  compliments,  and  let  him 
know  lie  hopes  to  have  the  pleasure  of  horsewhipping  him 
within  an  inch  of  his  life  the  first  time  they  meet.  There 
— go  ;  I'm  going  to  sleep." 

To  have  seen  the  expression  of  Mr.  Rowlie's  expressive 
countenance  on  hearing  this  sanguinary  announcement, 
with  his  mouth  and  eyes  opened  to  their  widest  extent  I 

A  faint  smile  broke  over  Disbrowe's  face  as  he  waved 
his  hand  for  him  to  go ;  and  the  horrified  host  of  the 
Mermaid  took  his  departure  accordingly. 

Tired  and  worn  out  by  his  journey  and  the  miserable 
night  he  had  passed,  it  was  high  noon  before  Disbrowe 
awoke.  There  was  no  such  thing  as  a  bell  in  his  room  ; 
so,  hastily  dressing  and  running  his  fingers  through  his 
hair,  he  glanced  in  a  facetious  little  looking-glass,  cracked 
across  the  middle,  which  ornamented  the  wall,  and,  pos- 
sessing a  strong  natural  taste  for  the  ridiculous,  reflected 
every  feature  askew.  Having,  by  the  aid  of  this  dissolute 
mirror,  twisted  his  shirt-collar  hind  side  before,  in  the 
belief  that  he  was  thereby  putting  it  on  straight,  he 
descended  the  stairs  and  passing  into  the  bar,  where  he 
found  Mr.  Rowlie  in  the  depths  of  a  leathern  arm-chair, 
solacing  himself  with  his  pipe  and  a  mug  of  frothy  home- 
brewed. 

"  Morning,  squire  !  "  was  his  sententious  greeting,  ac- 
companied by  a  patronizing  nod. 

"  Good-morning,  Mr.  Rowlie.  Have  you  seen  to  my 
horse  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  said  Rowlie,  meditatively — "  yes  ;  I  have." 

"  Well,  I  will  go  and  have  a  look  at  him  myself ;  and 
meantime,  send  up  some  warm  water  to  my  room,  and 
let  me  have  breakfast." 


*'HK  GIVETH  HIS  BELOVED  SLEEP."     257 


ac- 


my 


and 
and 


Mr.  Rowlie  having  promised  obedience,  Disbrowe 
sauntered  out  to  see  after  Saladin ;  and  having  found 
that  amiable  quadruped  i)retty  comfortable,  returned  to 
finish  his  toilet  and  take  his  breakfast ;  for  being  "  crossed 
in  love,"  as  the  housemaids  call  it,  seldom  interferes  with  a 
man's  appetite.  The  meal  being  served  in  the  kitchen, 
and  being  waited  on  by  little  Mrs.  Rowlie,  whom  he  found 
to  be  much  more  communicative  and  intelligent  than  her 
spouse,  he  proceeded  to  cross-examine  her  on  matters  and 
things— rightly  concluding  he  stood  a  better  chance  of 
obtaining  an  answer  from  her  than  her  solemn  spouse. 

"  And  so  Captain  Tempest  left  here  yesterday  morning," 
he  was  saying.     "  Did  he  tell  you  where  he  was  going  ?  " 

"  Oh,  Lor  !  no,  sir ;  he  never  tells  nobody  his  business  ; 
but  I  expect  it  was  something  or  other  'long  old  Grizzle 
Howlet.     They're  as  thick  as  pickpockets,  both  of  'em." 

"  Have  you  any  idea  when  he  will  return  ?  " 

"  Well,  now,  I  couldn't  say  exactly,  but  it  ain't  impos- 
sible he  might  come  to-day  or  to-morrow,  at  furthest. 
His  men  are  waiting  for  him  out  there  in  Rowlie's  Cove." 

"Where  is  that?" 

"  Just  a  small  piece  below ;  and  it's  always  been  called 
after  us." 

"  There  was  a  boy  with  him — a  young  Spaniard.  Do 
you  know  anything  of  him  ?  " 

"  Oh,  that  uncommon  handsome  little  furriner  !  No : 
he  hasn't  been  here  for  a  long  while  now.  I  asked  old 
Nick  once  where  he  was,  and  he  told  me  he  had  gone  to 
the — you  know  who ;  but  I  don't  believe  a  word  of  it. 
He  was  a  great  deal  too  good-looking,"  said  Mrs.  Rowlie, 
laughing. 

"  Do  you  know  if  there  is  any  chance  of  my  getting  a 
passage  shortly  in  some  craft  going  from  here  direct  to 
New  York  ?  " 

"  Oh,  bless  you !  yes,  sir.  Day  after  to-morrow  Bill 
Briggs  comes  down  in  his  wood-boat,  and  he  would 
take  you.  You  wouldn't  mind  going  in  a  wood-be^  t — 
would  you?"  said  Mrs  Rowlie,  doubtfully. 

•*  Oh,  certainly  not.  It  does  not  matter.  Well,  I 
suppose  there's  nothing  for  it  but  to  wait.  Is  there  any 
one  here  I  could  send  to  Fontelle  for  my  luggage  ?  " 


:i? 


i   1 


258 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


! 


"  My  iievvy  will  be  here  in  the  course  of  the  day ;  he 
could  go." 

"  Very  well ;  send  him  then.  By  the  way,"  he  said 
carelessly,  as  if  the  thought  had  struck  him  for  the  first 
time,  "  can  you  tell  me  what  this  Captain  Tempest  trades 
in  as  he  goes  cruising  around  the  world  ?  "  - 

Mrs.  Kowlie  glanced  fearfully  over  her  shoulder,  as 
though  she  expected  to  see  the  burly  form  of  the  captain 
there  in  person,  and  answered,  rapidly  ; 

"  I  don't  knov/,  I'm  sure  :  I  hain't  the  least  idee — not 
the  least  idee — not  the  least.     He  never  brings  nothing  up 
here — leastways,  nothing  I  ever  see — so  I  really  couldn't 
say," 
•    "  Do  you  know  if  he  was  ever  married  ?  " 

"No,  sir.  Lor',  how  should  I?  It  ain't  more  than 
three  or  four  years  since  I  seen  him  first,  i»,x  together,  and 
he  had  no  wife  then  that  I  ever  heard  on.  He  might 
be  married  a  dozen  times,  though,  for  me." 

"  How  came  he  and  this  old  Grizzle  Ilowlet  to  be  so 
intimate  ?  " 

r    "  Don't  know ;  '  cept  tliat  it  is  that  birds   of  a  feather 
flock  together  everywhere." 

"  And  this  child  who  lives  with  that  old  woman — little 
Orrie — do  you  know  anything  of  her  ?  " 

"  No,  sh' — not  a  thing.  I've  hearn  she  was  the  old 
woman's  gran'  darter,  but  I  don't  believe  that,  somehow. 
My  '  pinion  is,  that  that  there  old  Grizzle  ain't  no  better 
than  she  ought  to  be." 

"  You  might  swear  that  withcnt  fear  of  perjury,  my 
worthy  hostess.  Have  you  anythmg  here  I  can  read  to 
kill  time  this  long  day  '?  " 

"  Yes,  sir,"  said  ^Irs.  Rowlie,  departing  with  alacrity ; 
and  presently  leappearmg  with  the  whole  library  of  the 
Mermaid,  placed  it  on  the  table  beside  him. 

Tliere  was  the  Filgrim's  Progress,  Watts'  Hymns,  the 
Melodies  of  ]\Iotlier  Goose,  and  Robinson  Crusoe,  with 
the  beginning  and  end  torn  out.  Disbrowe  smiled  slight- 
ly at  the  attractive  catalogue  ;  and  lighting  a  cigar,  leaned 
back  and  tried  to  beguile  time  alternately  reading  Watts' 
Hymns  and  Mother  Goose. 

That  long  day  seemed  endless  in  the  dull   Mermaid. 


i! 


(  i. 


'HE  GIVETH  HIS  BELOVED  SLEEP."      259 


ity; 

the 


laid. 


No  one  came  the  livelong  day  except  the  "  newy"  of 
Mrs.  Rowlie,  who  was  immediately  packed  oft'  in  a  horse 
and  gig  to  Fontelle  for  tlie  young  soldier's  luggage.  Half 
a  dozen  times  Disbrowe  started  up  in  desperation,  resolv- 
ing to  mount  Saladin  anfi  ride  to  the  old  inn  and  see 
Jacquetta  once  more,  m  spite  of  them  all,  and  as  often 
checked  himself,  and  paced  up  and  down  tlie  little  room 
like  cne  insane.  Night  came,  and  brought  with  it  a 
calmer  mood  ;  but  it  was  a  niglit  spent  in  feverish  dreams. 
And  he  arose  next  day  more  restless  and  miserable  than 
before. 

Toward  noon  this  feeling  of  restlessness  grew  unsup- 
portable  ;  and,  unable  to  remain  inactive  longer,  he  ordered 
out  Saladin,  sprung  into  the  saddle,  and  dashed  oft'  in  the 
dh'cction  Avhere  his  heart  had  been  since  he  left  Fontelle. 
In  less  than  half  an  hour,  the  old  inn  came  in  sight,  loom- 
ing up  dark,  and  dismal,  and  for])idding  in  the  solitary 
waste.  No  one  was  in  sights  but  a  horse  stood  at  the  door, 
which  he  recognized  immediately  as  the  one  he  had  often 
seen  Frank  ride.  Could  it  be  that  Fi-ank  was  there  ?  As 
he  started  forward  to  see,  the  door  opened,  and  Frank 
himself  rushed  out,  like  one  crazed,  bare-headed  and 
frantic,  and  was  in  the  act  of  mounting  and  galloping  oft', 
when  Disbrowe's  voice  arrested  him : 

"  Hallo,  Frank !     Good  heavens !  what  is  the  matter  ?  " 

He  might  well  ask ;  for  in  turning  round,  Frank  dis- 
closed a  face  so  wild  and  haggard,  and  eyes  so  full  of 
passionate  grief,  that  it  sent  a  thrill  of  nameless  terror  to 
his  heart. 

"  Oh,  Frank !  speak  and  tell  me  what  has  happened  I  Is 
sAe  there  ?" 

«Who?" 

"  Jacquetta." 

"  Yes,"  said  Frank,  in  a  tone  of  passionate  bitterness, 
"  shv'^  is  there.     Will  you  come  in  and  see  her  ?  " 

"  Yes ;  come  with  me." 

Both  were  on  their  feet  in  an  instant  aud  Disbrowe 
was  white  with  apprehension. 

"  Come,  then,"  said  Frank,  "  and  see  the  result  of  their 
work.    You  may  all  be  proud  of  it  alike." 

"  Frank !  Frank !     What  do  you  mean  ?  " 


n. 


V  { 


i 


fl 


■r.    ^7  I'- HI 


>. 


36o 


THF  DARK  SECRET. 


«  You  will  soon  see.    Come  I  '* 

He  led  the  way  into  the  long,  high  kitchen,  and  a 
stiaDge,  nameless  horror  was  thrilling  through  the  heart 
of  Disbrowe. 

Captain  Nick  Tempest  sat  gloomily  scowling  by  him- 
self, and  neither  moved  nor  spoke  as  they  entered.  Old 
Grizzle  sa^^  at  the  other  end  of  the  room,  dark  and  sinister 
as  usual,  and  glanced  at  them  with  a  malignant  smile  as 
they  came  in,  but  did  not  speak.  The  door  of  a  small 
room  opening  off  the  kitchen  lay  ajar,  and  passing  into 
this,  Frank  made  a  sign  for  Disbrowe  to  follow.  There 
was  a  bed  in  the  room,  and  under  a  white  sheet  was  the 
dreary  outline  of  something  that  made  Disbrowe  reel  as 
if  struck  by  a  blow. 

Without  a  word,  Frank  pulled  down  the  sheet,  and 
pointing  to  what  lay  stark  and  white  there,  said,  huskily : 

"  Look  I   there  is  Jacquetta  !  " 

He  looked.  The  small,  delicate  form  was  stiff  and 
rigid — the  bright,  sparkling  eyes  were  closed  in  their  last 
sleep — the  short,  flashing  curls  lay  in  lifeless  clusters  on 
the  pillow.  The  sweet,  beautiful  face  would  smile  on 
him  no  more.    Jacquetta  lay  there,  and  dead  I  * 


CHAPTER  XXII. 


THE  LONELY  GRAVE. 


••  Thus  lived — thus  died  she  :  never  more  on  her 
Shall  sorrow  light,  or  shame." 

Yes,  dead — stone-dead  I  beyond  their  power  at  last. 
More  beautiful  than  she  had  ever  been  in  life,  she  lay 
there  before  him ;  her  tameless  heart,  that  neither  wrong 
nor  sorrow  could  conquer,  quiet  enough  now ;  the  little 
restless  hands  folded  gently  over  the  marble  breast — so 
strangely  calm,  so  fair  and  beautiful  in  her  dreamless 
sleep ! 

Moments  passed  while  they  stood  gazing  on  her,  and 
neither  spoke.  The  face  of  Disbrowe  worked  convulsively  ; 
and  at  last,  with  a  dreadful  cry,  he  flung  himself  on  his 
knees  beside  her. 


THE  lyONElvY  GRAVE. 


26r 


last. 

lay 
rong 
Ittle 

-so 
Lless 

land 

his 


"  Oh,  Jacquetta !  Jacquetta !  Jacquetta  I " 

"  Too  late  ! "  said  Frank,  bitterly.  "  The  world  was 
not  large  enough  for  you  and  her.     It  is  better  as  it  is." 

There  was  no  response  ;  but  only  that  mighty  cry  : 

"  Oh,  Jacquetta  !  Jacquetta  1  Jacquetta  I  " 

It  was  the  ^.y  of  a  strong  heart  in  strong  agony — so 
full  of  such  quick,  living  anguish  and  remorse,  that  it  went 
to  the  heart  of  Frank.  He  looked  down  in  the  young 
face,  once  so  careless  and  gay,  but  so  full  of  mortal  de- 
spair now,  and  it  softened  him  as  nothing  else  could  have 
done.  He  laid  his  hand  on  his  shoulder,  and,  dropping 
his  face  on  it,  burst  into  tears. 

"  They  broke  her  heart,"  he  sobbed.  "  She  could 
never  live  disgraced  !  " 

There  was  a  step  in  the  chamber ;  and  the  hand  of  Grizzle 
touched  the  young  man. 

"  She  left  this  for  you,"  she  said  in  a  subdued  tone,  as 
if  she,  too,  was  a  little  softened  by  the  sight  of  his  de- 
spair.    "  She  wrote  it  an  hour  before  she  died." 

She  handed  him  a  small  piece  of  paper,  on  which  some- 
thing was  feebly  scratched  with  a  pencil.  He  opened  it^ 
and  read : 

"For  all  I  have  made  you  suffer,  forgive  me.  Oh, 
Alfred !  I  loved  you  with  all  my  heart  and  soul,  and  this 
is  my  atonement  for  my  sin.  May  God  forgive  me  I  for 
I  could  not  help  it.  Whcii  Jacquetta  is  dead,  and  you  hear 
her  reviled,  try  to  think  tenderly  of  her ;  for  oh,  Alfred ! 
no  one  in  this  world  will  ever  love  you  again  as  you  have 
been  loved  by  her." 

That  was  all.     He  dropped  his  head,  with  a  groan. 

"  Thou  slialt  not  seethe  the  kid  in  its  mother's  milk," 
said  the  deep  voice  of  Grizzle ;  "yet  it  has  been  done 
now." 

"  Oh,  my  God  1  what  have  I  said — what  have  I  done  ?  " 
he  persistently  cried.     "  This — this  is  what  I  have  lost ! " 

Captain  Tempest  had  entered  the  apartment,  and,  hear- 
ing that  sad  cry,  came  over,  and  with  a  sudden  revulsion 
of  feeling,  so  different  from  that  of  a  moment  before  that 
it  was  almost  like  love,  laid  his  hand  kindly  on  the  young 
man's  shoulder: 

"  Lost  through  no  fault  of  yours,  Captain  Disbrowe.    I 


It'- 


ll M 


t    ! 


262 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


am  her  father ;  and  here,  beside  my  dead  child,  who  loved 
you,  T  will  say  what!  never  said  before  to  mortal  man,  that 
I  am  sorry  for  what  I  done  to  you  1 " 

He  held  out  his  hand  ;  but  Captain  Disbrowe  sternly 
motioned  him  back,  and  answered : 

"Were  you  ten  times  her  father  it  would  make  no 
difference.  She  abhorred  you,  and  so  do  I !  Never  will 
my  hand  touch  that  of  her  n>urderer  I  " 

"Hard  words,  you  'f  r:  ,"  said  Captain  Nick,  his 
bronzed  face  slightly  ,.  '* w.^  "  Every  man  has  aright  to 
his  own;  and  she  was  i  -v  j:tv  fu^  child." 

"T  will  believe  that  v.nen  v">  can  gather  grapes  of 
thorns!  But,  as  I  said  before,  were  you  ten  times  her 
father,  I  would  not  care  ;  for,  here  in  the  presence  of  God 
and  the  dead,  I  declare  you  to  be  as  much  her  nmrderer  as 
if  you  liad  held  the  knife  to  her  throat !  Let  her  blooc 
cry  for  vengjeance  upon  you  till  the  day  of  retribution 
comes ! " 

"  Take  care  1 "  said  Captain  Nick,  growing  whiter  still. 
"  One  word  more,  and  we  are  deadly  foes  for  life  !  " 

"  So  be  it.  Captiiin  Tempest,  you  are  a  coward  and  a 
liar ! " 

"  Now,  by  heavens !  "  furiously  began  the  captain ;  but 
the  strong  hand  of  Grizzle  was  laid  on  his  shoulder,  and 
she  spoke  rapidly  and  imperiously  to  him,  in  Spanish. 

"  Respect  the  dead  I "  said  Disbrowe,  pointing  to  the 
lifeless  form,  and  speaking  in  the  deep,  stern  tone  he  had 
used  throughout.  "  I  quarrel  not  with  you  here.  Fear 
not  but  that  a  day  of  reckoning  will  come  soon.  Leave 
me  now.    I  wish  to  be  alone." 

Even  had  he  not  been  under  the  influence  of  Grizzle, 
there  was  something  in  the  eyes  and  voice  of  the  young 
man  that  would  have  commanded  his  obedience.  Like  an 
angry  lion,  robbed  of  its  prey,  he  turned,  with  a  smothered 
growl,  and,  accompanied  by  Grizzle,  left  the  room. 

There  was  a  long  pause  in  the  chamber  of  death.  Like 
a  tall,  dark  ghost,  Disbrowe  stood,  his  arms  folded  across 
his  chest,  his  eyes  fixed  on  the  small,  fair  face  in  its  calm 
sleep,  his  own  face  like  marble.  What  seemed  the  world, 
his  coronet  and  prospective  bride,  in  that  moment,  com- 
pared with  what  he  had  lost  I 


THE  I.ONEI.Y  GRAVE. 


263 


Well  has  it  been  said  that  we  know  the  value  of  noth- 
ing until  we  forever  lose  it. 

How  she  arose  before  him  in  all  her  entrancing  beauty 
— bright,  radii Jit,  untamed  as  he  had  knoANii  her  lirst — 
this  matt'hlevss  girl  who  had  loved  him  so  well !  lie  re- 
called her  in  all  her  willful  moods ;  the  fair  sprite  who 
teased  and  tormented  him,  yet  whose  bright  smile  coiUd 
dispel  his  anger  as  a  ray  of  smishine  disi)els  gloom. 

He  thought  of  her  in  her  heroic  daring,  risking  her 
own  life,  freely  and  fearlessly,  for  tliat  of  others — the 
tameless  mountain  fairy  transformed  to  the  ministering 
household  angel,  hovering  beside  the  sick  and  suffering. 
How  tame  and  insignilicant  all  other  women  p  i',."^'ed  be- 
side her — this  high-souled  fay  of  the  moonligliL ! 

This  was  the  girl  who  had  loved  him  u.  1  i.uem  so 
well ;  and,  in  return,  they  had  hurled  back  ..  :r  'ove  with 
scorn,  and  cast  her  off  like  a  dog  from  theL"  g  ce.3.  And 
now  she  lay  there  before  him,  dead ! 

There  was  no  reproach  in  those  closed  ^y-cs — in  those 
sweet,  beautiful  lips — on  that  fair,  gentle  face,  or  folded 
hands.  She  had  forgiven  them  all  for  the  great  wrong 
they  had  done  her  ;  but,  oh  I  he  would  have  given  worlds 
at  that  moment  for  words  of  pardon  from  those  pale  lips 
— those  lips  that  never  would  speak  more. 

Frank's  deep,  suppressed  sobs  alone  broke  the  silence 
of  the  room.  Once  or  twice  he  had  looked  up  to  speak ; 
but  that  white,  stern  face  had  awed  him  into  silence,  and 
he  felt,  with  a  strange  thrill  of  terror  and  pity,  that  it  was 
possible  for  that  dark,  tearless  grief  to  be  deeper  than  his 
own. 

Disbrowe  himself  was  the  first  to  break  the  silence. 
And  his  voice  sounded  strangely  cold  and  calm : 

"  Does  he  " — Mr.  De  Vere  he  could  not  call  him  well 
then — "  know  of  this  ?  " 

"  No,"  said  Frank,  with  a  sob.  "  I  was  just  going  to 
Fontelle  when  I  met  you  that  time,  and  turned  back." 

"  How  did  you  know  this — this  had  happened  ?  " 

"  I  didn't  know.  I  thought  it  most  likely  I  should  find 
her  here;  and  before  day'.:  ik  this  morning  I  started 
off,  and  I  found — I  found  h(  — A  great  sob  finished  the 
sentence. 


1 5 


il 


;i 


i 


'I! 


: 


M 


ii 


264 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


"  Dead  I "  said  Disbrowe,  drawing  a  long,  hard  breath. 
«  When  did  she  die  ? " 

"  Last  night,"  said  Frank,  who  was  weeping  as  only  a 
fresh-hearted  boy  can. 

"  And  it  all  enrs  here ! "  said  Disbrowe,  looking 
steadily  at  the  death-cold  face.  "  Her  short  and  sorrow- 
ful story  I  Oh,  Jacquetta  !  why  were  you  born  for  such  a 
fate  ?  " 

There  was  an  unspeakable  depth  of  bitterness  and  de- 
spair in  liis  tone.  Frank  checked  his  sobs,  and  looked  at 
him  fearfully. 

"There  was  another — the  young  Spaniard — where  is 
he?" 

"  I  don't  know.     I  haven't  seen  him." 

«  Will  you  ask  ? — they  Avill  tell  you,"  he  said,  pointing 
out. 

Frank  left  the  room,  and,  after  a  moment's  absence,  re- 
appeared. 

"  Grizzle  doesn't  know,  either,  she  says.  He  did  not 
come  with  them  after  leaving  Fontelle,  but  set  off  toward 
Green  Creek  by  himself.    Most  likely  he  is  there." 

"  Ah  1 "  said  Disbrowe,  "  then  he  is  gone  before  this. 
Well,  perhaps  it  is  better  so ;  and,  after  all,  he  was  not 
so  much  to  blame,  perhaps — poor  boy  !  Frank,  you  ought 
to  go  to  Fontelle  and  let  them  know. 

Frank  started  up. 

"  I  will  go  directly  ;  but  you — where  shall  I  find  you 
when  I  come  back  ?  " 

"  Here,  if  I  may  stay.    Ask  the  old  woman  to  come  here." 

Frank  left  the  room,  and  the  next  moment  Grizzle 
sauntered  in. 

"  You  sent  for  me  ?  "  she  asked  in  a  careless  tone. 

"Yes.  I  want  to  know  whether  you  have  any  ob- 
jections to  my  remaining  here,  while  she — she — "  He 
stopped  for  a  moment.     "  Until  she  is  buried." 

"  No,"  said  Grizzle,  indifferently.  "  I  have  none.  You 
may  stay  if  you  like.     This  is  an  inn,  you  know." 

"  I  understand — you  shall  be  paid.     Has  Frank  gone  ?  " 

"  Yes  ;  I  suppose  so.     I  saw  him  gallop  off." 

"  Very  well.  Will  you  leave  me  now  ?  I  wish  to  be 
alone." 


a     T  t,H 


THE  LONEI.Y  GRAVE. 


265 


i> 


)U 


» 


)e 


In  tlie  same  indifferent  way  the  woman  walked  out, 
closing  the  door  after  her ;  and  Disbrowe  was  alone  with 
the  dead!  Dead! — Iioav  strange  that  word  sonnded  i!i 
connection  with  Jaeciuetta  !  lie  could  not  realize  that 
Hhe  was  dead.  80  calm,  and  i)lacid,  and  serene,  was  her 
l(H)k,  that  he  almost  expected  to  see  her  start  up,  as  if 
from  slumber,  to  inquire  what  he  did  there. 

Captain  Nick  had  resumed  his  former  seat,  and  sat 
moodily  scowling  in  the  lire.  As  Grizzle  reappeared,  he 
looked  up  and  asked,  surlily  : 

«  Well ;  what  did  he  want  ?  " 

"  What  do  you  supjiose  he  wanted  ?  "  replied  Grizzle, 
in  a  tone  quite  as  amiable  as  his  own. 

Captain  Nick  growled  out  a  fierce  oath  between  his 
teeth. 

^'  Tell  me,  you  old  beldame !  None  of  your  cursed  mys- 
teries with  me  !     What  did  he  want?" 

"  Really,  Captain  Tempest,"  said  Grizzle,  in  a  tone  of 
provoking  coolness,  as  she  dropped  on  a  stool  before  the 
fire,  and  with  her  elbows  on  her  knees,  and  her  chin  be- 
tween her  hands,  looked  quietly  in  the  blaze, "  grief  nuist 
have  turned  your  brain  a  little  when  you  attempt  to  liully 
me.  However,  allowance  must  be  made  for  a  father's 
grief  for  the  loss  of  an  only  child,  and  all  that  sort  of 
thing,  so  I  am  happy  to  tell  you  he  wanted  nothing  very 
sinister ;  but,  considering  what  he  knows,  something 
pretty  rash — in  a  word,  to  stay  here  all  night." 

«  Humph  !    Alone  ?  " 

"  Certainly !  Frank  has  gone  to  Fontelle,  I  expect, 
and  will  not  be  back  to-night ;  and  who  else  is  there  to 
share  his  watch,  unless  our  young  Spanish  friend  comes 
—eh,  Nick?" 

"  And  that's  not  very  likely.  My  private  impression 
is,  that  there  is  no  particular  love  between  Don  Jacinto 
and  the  young  and  handsome  guardsman." 

"  Do  you  really  think  so  ?  "  And,  as  if  struck  by  some 
ludicrous  idea,  Grizzle  laughed  outright. 

"What  are  you  grinning  at,  now,  you  old  baboon?" 
demanded  the  captain,  angrily. 

"Nothing,"  said  Grizzle,  smiling  grimly  at  the  fire. 
»' Oh,  nothing!" 


■  \ 

ii 


■\i 


266 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


"  Then  I  wouldn't  advise  you  to  do  it,"  said  her  gallant 
companion.  "  You  are  none  too  pretty  the  best  of  times, 
but  you  look  like  an  old  death's-head-and-erossbones 
when  you  laugh.  And  so  he  is  going  to  stay  here  alone 
all  niglit  with  you  and  I,  Grizzle  ?  He  hanged  if  he's  not 
a  brave  fellow  !  " 

"  I  faney  he  would  risk  more  than  that  for  Captain 
Nick  TtMupest's  daughter." 

"  I  tell  you  what,  Grizzle,  he's  a  fine  young  fellow,  and 
would  make  a  splendid  high-sea  rover — he  would,  by  tho 
powiTs !  "  exclaimed  the  captain,  enthusiastically. 

"  13ah !  you  forget  the  way  he  treated  you  a  while  ago  !  '* 
said  (Ji'izzle,  contemptuously. 

"  r  don't  care  for  that ;  there's  a  strong  spice  of  tho 
devil  in  him  ;  and  Fd  give  a  bag  of  ducats  for  a  dozen  such 
hearts  of  oak  among  my  crew." 

"  Really,  now,"  said  Grizzle,  with  a  sneer,  "  what  a 
pity  so  much  valuable  love  should  be  lost !  Perhaps  you 
had  better  ask  him  to  take  a  cruise  in  the  Fly-by-Night 
to  the  coast  of  Africa.  It  would  be  a  change  for  the 
future  Earl  of  Earnecliffe  and  Baron  of  Guilford — eh,  my 
bold  buccaneer  ?  " 

"  Tush  1  speak  lower — confound  you  !  Upon  my  word, 
Grizzle,  I  did  not  think  he  would  venture  to  stay  here 
alone  to-night  with  you  and  I — I  really  didn't." 

"  Pooh  I  he  knows  there  is  no  danger — that  it  would  be 
as  much  as  our  lives  are  worth  to  touch  him ;  and,  besides, 
he  is  armed.  Or,  what  is  more  likely  still,  he  never 
thought  anything  about  it  at  all.  Lovers,  you  know, 
generally  get  into  a  state  of  mind  when  they  lose  their 
lady-love,  and  forget  everything  else." 

"  Do  they  ?  You  ought  to  know,  if  any  one  does — eh, 
Grizzle?"  said  the  captain,  with  a  grin.  "  I  wonder 
what  his  high  and  mightiness  Duke  De  Yere  will  say 
when  he  finds  his  quondam  \uighter  dead  and  gone? 
Do  you  suppose  he  will  take  on  ?" 

"  He  will  feel  it,  and  most  probably  will  suspect  we 
helped  her  off." 

"  Now,  by  Jove  !  if  he  dares  to  breathe  such  an  infernal 


suspicion,  I  will  brain  him  where 
the  captain,  fiercely. 


he  stands  !  "  exclaimed 


m 


e? 

lal 
ed 


THE  LONKLY  ORAVK. 


267 


"  y«)U  will  do  no  hucU  thing,  my  lM)aHting  friend. 
Will  it  not  be  a  very  niituml  Huspicion,  Captain  Nicik? 
Neither  you  nor  I,  you  know,  are  thought  tool nnnaculate 
to  \Hi  guilty  of  that  or  any  other  crime." 

"Does  he  sup])ose  I  would  slay  my  own  dangliU'r?" 

"Of  course  lu;  does — wliy  should  he  not?  Wnat  a 
blessed  innocent  you  are,  Nick!" 

"You  might  do  such  a  devil's  deed,  you  old  Mother 
Horrible  !  but  I  would  not.  No ;  bad  as  Nick  Tempest  is, 
lie  wouhl  not  do  that." 

"You  saintly  cherub!  Talk  of  Satan's  turning  saint 
after  this.  Are  you  n(,'  afraid  of  making  your  fatiier 
Satan  Idush  for  his  renegade  cliild,  if  you  talk  like  Ups? 
They  ought  to  send  you  as  a  missionary  to  the  Sealp-'e.i  - 
and-eat-'em  Indians.  All  you  want  is  a  bundle  of  tracts, 
and  the  Indians  themselves  will  provide  you  with  a  cos- 
tume, which,  I  believe,  consists  in  a  judicious  mixture  of 
red  and  yellow  paint,  some  ornamenUd  tattooing,  and  a 
bunch  of  feathers." 

"  Don't  be  a  fool — will  you  ?  "  said  the  captain,  with  a 
frown.  "  Stoj)  your  nonsense,  and  talk  common  sense. 
Where  is  she  to  be  buried  V  " 

"  Mr.  De  Vere,  most  likely,  will  see  to  that." 

"  He'll  do  no  such  thing.     I'll  see  to  it  myself." 

"  Pooh !  what  difference  does  it  make  V  The  girl's 
dead,  and  what  odds  who  has  the  bother  and  expense  of 
burying  her  V  It's  his  duty  to  do  it,  too  ;  for  he  had  most 
of  her  while  she  was  living." 

Captain  Nick  looked  at  her  in  mingled  anger  and  disgust. 

"  You  miserable  old  anatomy  !  had  you  ever  a  woman's 
heart  ?  No ;  I  tell  you,  I  shall  bury  her — I  myself,  as 
the  spellinr  -book  says ;  and  IMr.  Robert  De  Vere  may 
mind  his  o\''n  affairs.  Ho  shall  have  nothing  more  to 
say  to  my  girl,  living  or  dead.  To-morrow  morning  I'll 
be  oft'  to  Green  Creek  for  a  coffin.  I  suppose  I  can  get 
none  nearer  than  Green  Creek." 

"  No ;  unless  you  make  it  yourself." 

"I  had  rather  be  excused.  I  could  make  a  lady  3  bon- 
net as  easily.  Poor  little  thing  I  The  other  «h\y^  sho 
was  so  full  of  life  and  spirits,  and  now  we  are  talking  of 
burying  her." 


II, 


I 


I 


I  i 


268 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


Vif 


Jll  (' 


•ill! 


There  was  a  touch  of  something  like  melancholy  in  the 
captain's  tone,  that  showed  all  liis  affection  for  his  "  little 
Lelia  "  had  not  entirely  died  out.  Grizzle  looked  at  him 
askance,  shrugging  her  shoulders,  and  smiled  to  herself. 

There  was  a  pause,  and  then  the  captain  began  in  a 
subdued  tone : 

"  Grizzle,  I  wonder  what  made  her  die  ?  " 

"  There's  a  sensible  question !  How  do  you  suppose  I 
know?  She  might  die  of  fifty  things — disease  of  the 
heart  or  congestion  of  the  brain,  or  a  paralytic  stroke,  or 
a  want  of  breath,  or — " 

«  A  broken  heart  I  " 

Grizzle  lifted  her  head,  and  laughed  aloud. 

"  A  broken  heart !  Ye  saints  and  sinners  !  Captain 
Nick  Tempest,  the  high-sea  rover,  talking  of  broken 
hearts  !  Upon  my  word,  Nick,  you  are  getting  to  be  the 
most  amusing  person  I  ever  knew — as  good  as  a  country 
justice  or  the  clown  of  a  circus.  A  broken  heart ! " 
And  the  lady  laughed  again. 

The  gentleman's  answer  was  an  oath — "  not  loud,  but 
deep ;  "  and  a  mysterious  bint  about  making  her  laugh  on 
the  wrong  side  of  her  mouth,  if  she  did  not  mind.  And 
then  the  amiable  pair  sulkily  relapsed  into  silence,  and 
remained  staring  in  the  fire  without  a  word,  for  the  rest 
of  the  afternoon. 

Night  fell.  Grizzle  arose,  heaped  more  wood  on  the 
fire,  and  set  about  preparing  supper. 

She  had  fallen  into  one  of  her  sullen  moods  ;  and  to  the 
questions  her  companion  now  and  then  asked  her,  she 
either  returned  short  and  snappish  answers,  or  did  not 
reply  at  all. 

When  supper  was  ready.  Captain  Nick,  without  wait- 
ing to  be  invited — for  which  he  probably  might  have 
waited  long  enough  in  vein — laid  down  his  pipe,  drew  up 
his  chair,  and  fell  to  with  an  appetite  no  way  diminished 
by  the  loss  of  his  daughter  and  heiress.  Grizzle  went 
over,  and  without  ceremony  opened  the  chamber-door 
where  lay  the  dead  girl,  watched  by  her  living  lover. 

He  was  sitting  near  the  head  of  the  bed,  his  arm  rest- 
ing on  the  pillovv',  his  forehead  dropped  upon  it,  and  his 
dark  hair  mingling  with  her  bright,  short  curls,  as  still 


THE  I^ONElyY  GRAVE. 


269 


the 


wait- 
have 
wup 
I  shed 
went 
door 


still 


and  motionless  as  the  corpse  itself.  The  sight  might 
have  touched  any  other  heart  j  it  would  have  the  captain's, 
hut  on  Grizzle  it  produced  no  effect.  Men  seldom  grow  so 
utterly  depraved  and  lost  to  every  good  feeling  as  a  hard- 
ened and  reckless  woman  will.  She  went  up  to  him,  and 
touclied  him  lightly  on  the  shoulder. 

He  looked  up,  and  his  face  was  like  marble. 

"  Supper  is  ready,"  she  said.     "  Will  you  come  out  ?  " 

"  No :  I  do  not  want  any." 

"  I  will  bring  it  in,  if  you  like." 

"No.     Leave  me." 

"  Shall  I  fetch  you  a  light?  " 

"  ^o,"  he  said,  with  an  imperious  wav^e  of  his  hand. 
"  Go !  " 

His  tone  was  not  to  be  resisted.  She  left  the  room 
and  the  lovers — the  dead  and  the  living  were  agjiin  alone. 

After  supper.  Captain  Nick  threw  himself  aowi>  before 
the  lire,  saying : 

"  Have  breakfast  ready  bright  and  early  to-morrow 
morning,  Grizzle  ;  you  know  I  must  be  off  to  Green  Creek 
by  day-dawn." 

Grizzle  nodded  a  brief  assent,  and  in  five  minutes  the 
captain  was  sound  asleep.  Then,  having  seen  to  the  fire 
and  put  the  room  in  order,  she  sought  her  own  room  to 
sleep  the  sleep  of  the  guilty  until  morning  and  dream  of 
the  lonely  watcher  in  the  room  of  death. 

Next  morning,  before  the  lark  had  begun  to  chant  his 
matin  carol,  Captain  Nick  was  in  the  saddle  in  a  swift 
canter  to  Green  Creek.  Grizzle,  curious  to  see  the  effects 
of  his  night's  watching  on  Disbrowe,  had  softly  opened 
the  door  once,  and  saw  him  in  precisely  the  same  attitude 
as  that  of  last  night— as  though  he  had  never  stirred  since. 

"  I  knew  he  would  feel  it,"  said  Grizzle  to  herself ;  "  but 
hardly  as  much  as  this,  I  thought.  This  is  revenge  !  I 
wonder  where  ^Faster  Jacinto  is  by  this  time  ?  " 

The  clatter  of  horses'  hoofs  at  this  moment  brought  her 
to  the  window,  and  she  saw  Mr.  De  Vere,  Augusta,  and 
their  family  physician  in  the  act  of  dismounting. 

"  I  knew  it,"  she  said,  with  one  of  her  hard,  grim 
smiles.  "  They  suspect  foul  play,  and  have  brought  the 
doctor  to  make  sure.     Well,  they're  wrong  for  once — 


I 


1 


1:1 


H)J 


'    )l 


1 1 


(i 


270 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


that's  one  comfort  I  Oh,  you  had  better  beat  down  the 
door — hadn't  yon  ?  One  would  think  you  were  master 
here,  as  well  as  in  Fon telle  Hall." 

Thus  apostrophizing,  tlie  lady  leisurely  shuffled  to  the 
door ;  and,  opening  it,  saw  Mr.  De  Vere  very  pale,  and 
dark,  and  stern,  standing  on  the  threshold.  The  moment 
his  eye  fell  on  Grizzle,  he  grasped  her  fiercely  by  the 
wrist,  and  said,  in  a  hoarse  whisper : 

"  Woman — fiend  !  have  you  murdered  her  ?  " 

"  You  have  brought  a  doctor — go  and  see !  "  said 
Grizzle,  with  a  sneer. 

"  If  you  have,  by  all  the  hosts  of  Heaven,  you  and  your 
vhidictive  companion  shall  hang  as  high  as  Haman,  in 
spite  of  earth  and  all  it  contains  !  " 

"  You  threatened  before,  Mr.  De  Vere,  and  your  threats 
ended  in  smoke,  if  you  remember." 

"  You  will  find  to  your  cost,  they  will  not  this  time. 
Where  is  Jacquetta  ?  " 

"Not  far  distant.  Ah  !  you  here,  too.  Miss  Augusta? 
Your  first  visit,  if  T  remember  right.  Really,  my  poor 
dwelling  is  honored  this  morning." 

"  Here,  get  along — get  along — get  along  I  "  interrupted 
the  doctor,  impatiently.  "  We  have  no  time  to  stand 
fooling  here,  old  lady.  Lead  the  way — will  you  ?  Take 
my  arm.  Miss  Augusta." 

Augusta,  worn  to  a  shadow,  haggard,  and  deathlike, 
and  looking  more  like  a  galvanized  corpse  than  a  living 
being,  took  the  little  doctor's  proffered  arm,  and  followed 
her  father  and  Grizzle  into  the  house.  They  entered  the 
chamber,  and  their  eyes  fell  on  the  bowed  and  motionless 
form  of  Disbrowe,  resting  beside  the  dead. 

"  Poor  boy  !  "  said  Mr.  De  Vere,  bitterly.  "  It  is  a  sad 
blow  for  him  !  " 

"  Oh,  Jacquetta !  Oh,  my  sister  !  "  exclaimed  Augusts, 
with  a  great  cry,  as  she  sunk  on  her  knees  beside  the 
lied.  "  Dead !  dead  !  dead  !  alone  and  friendless — deserted 
by  all !  " 

Her  cry  aroused  Disbrowe.  He  looked  up  ;  and  seeing 
them,  arose. 

"  ]\Iy  poor  boy  !  my  dear  Alfred !  "  exclaimed  his  uncle, 
in  a  choking  voice. 


THE  I.ONEI.Y  GRAVE. 


271 


id 


He 
id 

e. 


"  Look  at  her,  sir,"  said  Disbrowe,  sternly,  pointing  to 
the  lifeless  forni.  "  Ts  Justice  satisfied  at  last?  What 
do  you  think  of  your  handiwork  ?  " 

"I  am  sorry — I  am  sorry.  Oh,  Alfred,  the  heart 
knoweth  its  own  bitterness." 

"  I  am  aware  of  that,  sir.  She  knew  it,  too,  in  her  dy- 
ing hour.     Who  is  to  answer  for  this  death  ?  " 

"  God  forgive  me  if  I  have  Av^ronged  her !  T  meant  to 
act  for  the  best.     Have  you  been  here  all  night  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  he  said,  coldly  and  briefly. 

"Still  unforgiving,"  said  Mr.  De  Vere,  turning  sadly 
away;  "and  I  thought  I  was  doing  right.  Poor  child! 
how  serene  she  looks  !  A  dead  saint  might  look  like  this. 
Poor  little  Jacquett?  !  Poor  little  Jacquetta !  "  he  said, 
putting  his  hand  before  his  eyes  to  hide  the  tears  that 
fell  hot  and  fast. 

Disbrowe  stood  like  a  tall,  dark  statue,  with  folded 
arms,  gazhig  out  of  the  window.  Augustii  wept  con- 
vulsively, and  even  the  little  doctor's  eyes  were  full  of 
tears. 

"  Poor  little  thing  !  she  does  look  like  a  dead  saint,  and 
she  deserves  to  go  to  heaven,  if  ever  anybody  did ;  for 
there  never  was  a  better  girl.  Ah !  she  has  the  prayers 
of  the  poor  and  the  weak,  anyway,  let  the  rich  and  the 
great  turn  against  her  as  they  might.  I  don't  think  tJiere 
has  been  any  foul  play  here.  She  has  died  a  natural 
death,  evidently  ;  of  a  broken  heart,  most  likely,  poor 
child!  You  leave  the  room — will  you?"  said  the  little 
doctor,  wiping  his  eyes,  and  blowing  his  nose  furiously, 
and  turning  ferociously  round  on  Grizzle. 

That  lady  gave  him  a  glance  of  supreme  contempt,  and 
obeyed. 

For  nearly  two  hours,  the  party  remained  shut  up  in 
the  room,  and  then  Mr.  De  Vere  came  out  and  addi'essed 
Grizzle.  ^ 

"  Where  is  Captain  Tempest?"  he  coldly  asked. 

"  Gone  to  Green  Creek  for  a  cofTin." 

"  He  may  spare  himself  the  trouble.  My  carriage  will 
be  here,  presently,  with  one.    I  intend  to  bury  her  myself." 

"  Just  as  you  like.     It  makes  no  difference  to  me." 

"  You  can  tell  Captain  Tempest  that  she  shall  be  buried 


41 


H  i| 


t'i  11 


II I 


m 


272 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


m 


in  the  family  vault,  as  if  she  were  really  my  daughter,  and 
it  will  prevent  the  talk  and  scandal  that  must  necessarily 
ensue  if  she  were  taken  to  Green  Creek  Cemetery.  It  is 
a  better  arrangement  for  all  parties." 

"  You  can  do  what  you  like  with  her.  A  dead  body  is 
of  no  great  importance  to  any  one." 

Mr.  De  Vere  turned  away  with  a  look  of  disgust ;  but 
he  paused  suddenly,  as  the  sound  of  carriage-wheels  met 
his  ear. 

The  next  moment,  the  boisterous  voice  of  Frank  was 
heard,  shouting  for  admittance ;  and  he  and  William,  the 
coachman,  presently  appeared,  bearing  between  them 
that  most  dismal  of  all  objects — a  coffin. 

Disbrowe's  marble  face  grew  a  shade  whiter  as  it  fell 
on  the  ghastly  object.  The  lid  Avas  taken  off,  and  the 
doctor  and  ]\Ir.  De  Vere  reverently  raised  the  slight, 
girlish  form  and  placed  it  in  its  last  resting-place.  And 
then  all  gathered  around  to  take  a,  last  look  at  the  fair 
face  they  were  never  to  see  again. 

How  sweet,  how  placid  she  looked,  like  an  infant  asleep, 
with  her  little  white  hands  serenely  folded  over  her  still 
heart,  a  faint,  half-smile  still  lingering  around  the  death- 
cold  lips  ! 

The  loud  sobs  of  Frank  and  the  passionate  weeping  of 
Augusta  resounded  through  the  room.  PTr  De  Vere,  too, 
shaded  his  face  to  hide  his  fast-falling  tea^s ;  and  the 
doctor  was  using  his  handkerchief  ince^s;!  ritl^ .  Disbrowe 
alone  shed  no  tear,  heaved  no  sigh,  but  stood  like  a  dark 
ghost,  voiceless  and  tearless. 

And  now  they  were  bending  down  for  one  last  kiss ; 
and  Disbrowe,  too,  stooped  and  touched  the  dead  lips  he 
never  had  touched  when  living.  And  then  the  coffin-lid 
shut  out  the  sweet,  dead  face,  and  small,  graceful  form  ; 
and  it  was  screwed  down ;  and  the  screws  seemed  driving 
into  their  own  hearts.  And  then  the  sable  pall  was 
throw:;  over  it,  and  Mr.  De  Vere  and  the  doctor  raised 
it  and  cam:  d  it  out  to  the  carriage. 

They  all  followed.  Grizzle  stood  by  the  window,  watch- 
ing tho^'ii  wi  Jioiit  a  word,  /lugusta  entered  first,  then 
Mr.  De  Y^  -  :  i:  id  the  doctor,  Avliile  Frank  and  Disbrowe 
mounte« '  vhe.'r  noises  and  rode  behind. 


THE  I.ONEI.Y  GRAVE. 


273 


the 


On  they  drove,  faster  than  ever  a  funeral  ever  went 
before ;  and  in  less  than  four  hours  the  stately  home  of 
the  De  Veres  was  in  sight.  That  home  she  had  so  often 
gladdened  by  her  briglit  presence  she  was  now  borne  to 
— dead. 

The  vaults  were  entered  by  the  north  wing — that 
mysterious  north  wing.  Tlie  way  went  down  a  long 
flight  of  broad  stone  stairs,  and  the  air  smelt  of  death  and 
the  grave,  damp  and  earthy. 

No  one  had  ever  rested  there  yet,  and  the  lonely  coflfin 
stood  there  by  itself.  The  doctor  read  the  burial  service. 
"  Dust  thou  art,  and  unto  dust  thou  shalt  return."  What 
i  cold  chill  the  mournful  words,  sublime  in  their  truth, 
struck  to  every  heart ! 

It  was  over  at  last,  and  they  all  turned  away.  As  the 
great  iron  key  turned  in  the  rusty  lock  of  the  door  of  the 
vault,  the  whole  dreadful  reality  broke  upon  Disbrowe 
for  the  first  time.  He  had  been  like  one  in  a  dream, 
hitherto — he  could  not  realize  it ;  but  now  those  cold 
stone  walls,  that  massive  door,  was  between  them.  He 
was  going  out  into  the  great  world  again,  and  Jaccpietta 
lay  dead  and  buried  within. 

With  a  dreadful  groan,  he  leaned  against  the  wall  and 
covered  his  face  with  his  hands.  What  was  there  left 
for  him  in  the  Avorld  worth  living  for  now  ? 

"  ^ly  dear  boy — my  dear  boy !  "  said  Mr.  De  Vere,  in 
a  choking  voice. 

The  words  aroused  him,  and  he  remember'  he  was 
not  alone.     lie  started  up  to  go. 

"  Oh,  Alfred  we  must  not  part  like  this.  Sliall  we  not 
be  friends  before  you  go  ?  I  am  an  old  man,  -  "^Ifred,  and 
I  love  you  for  my  sister's  sake." 

It  was  an  appeal  there  was  no  resistin  .  Disbrowe 
stretched  out  his  hand,  and  caught  that  of  his  uncle's  in 
a  friendly  clasp. 

"Good-by,  my  dear  uncle.  Let  the  presence  of  the 
dead  consecrate  our  new  friendship.  Augusta,  my  cousin, 
farewell.     Frank — doctor — good-by." 

He  waved  his  hand,  and  sprung  on  Saladin. 

"Then  you  will  go?  Oh,  Alfred,  if  you  Avould  but 
stay  with  us  a  few  days  longer." 


li'ii 


it 


t  T 


^1 


274 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


"  I  cannot.     Farewell." 

He  was  gone.  Down  the  maple  avenue  he  rode,  and 
disappeared  among  the  trees.  As  he  reached  the  gate, 
he  paused  to  look  back — his  last  look,  he  thought  it. 
How  little  did  he  think  with  Avhat  different  feelings  he 
would  gaze  on  it  in  days  to  come  I 

Who  can  tell  what  to-morrow  may  bring  forth  ? 

He  rode  on ;  Foi^^elle  disappeared,  was  left  behind,  and 
wi+li  it  was  loiQ  Jacquetta  in  her  lonely  grave. 


CHAPTER  XXIH. 


f 


1i 
4 


II 


OVER    THE    SEA. 

*'  And  now  I'm  in  the  world  alone, 
Upon  the  wide,  wide  sea  ; 
And  why  sliould  I  for  others  groan 
When  none  will  sigh  for  me  ?  " 

— Childe  Harold. 

One  wock  later,  and  the  bark  '*  Sea  Cull "  left  New 
York  harbor,  bound  for  "  England's  Isle."  The  pas- 
sengers stood  watching  the  fast  receding  shores  of  "  Uncle 
;>;  m,"  and  standing  off  among  them  was  the  tall,  gallant 
form  of  Captain  Alfred  Disbrowe,  gazing  thoughtfully, 
sadly,  on  the  land  he  was  leaving. 

Down  the  river,  on  to  tne  wide  ocean,  swept  the  stately 
ship,  and  slowly  and  gradually  the  shores  began  to  recede. 

"  Adieu  to  the  new  land  I  "  he  said,  waving  his  hand  ; 
"  farewell  to  bright  America." 

'  A  long  farewell,"  sighed  a  familiar  voice  behind  him, 
and  turning  suddenly  round,  he  stood  face  to  face  with 
Jacinto ! 

There  was  a  pause,  during  which  Disbrowe's  eyes  were 
fixed  steadily  on  his  face.  The  boy's  dark  eyes  fell,  and 
the  blood  mounted  to  his  brow. 

"  You  here !  "  said  Disbrowe,  slowly ;  "  this  is  a  most 
unexpected  pleasure." 

"I  did  not  know  you  were  on  board,"  said  Jacinto, 
timidly.  "  I — I  thought  you  were  going  to  remain  in 
New  York." 


-  V 


OVER  THE  SEA. 


275 


th 


to, 
in 


"  And  I  e7<pected  you  would  have  returned  with  your 
friend,  Captain  Tempest,"  said  Disbrowe,  coldly. 

"  He  is  no  friend  of  mine,"  said  the  boy,  quickly.  "  I 
never  knew  him  until  I  met  him  accidentally  in  Liver- 
pool, and  finding  lu^  was  to  sail  the  next  day,  took  passage 
in  his  ship.     That  is  all." 

"  Have  you  not  seen  him  since  you  left  Fon telle  ?  "  said 
Disbrowe,  suspiciously. 

"  No,"  said  the  boy,  earnestly  ;  "  not  once." 

"  You  have  heard  what  has  happened  since  ?  " 

Jacinto  lifted  his  large,  black  eyes,  and  Disbrowe  saw 
they  were  full  of  tears. 

"  Yes,  and  indeed  I  was  very — very  sorry." 

"  I  have  no  doubt  of  it." 

His  tone  of  proud,  bitter  endurance  went  to  the  heart 
of  Jacinto,  and  the  tears  fell  fast  from  his  eves. 

"  Oh,  Captain  Disbrowe,  I  am  sorry  for  you.  Indeed — 
indeed  I  am  sorry  for  you." 

"  Keep  your  pity,  my  young  friend,  until  I  ask  for  it," 
said  Disbrowe,  with  a  look  half-disdainful,  half-cynical, 
"  and  dry  your  tears.     I  really  don't  require  them." 

"  Oh,  Captain  Disbrowe,  what  have  I  done  to  you  ?  I 
never — never  meant  to  offend  you ;  and  I  am  so  sorry  if 
I  have  done  so.  Oh  !  if  you  only  would  believe  me,  and 
not  treat  me  so  coldly,"  said  the  boy,  clasping  Iiis  hands 
fervently. 

Disbrowe  glanced  at  him  slightly,  for  a  moment,  and 
then  looked  out  over  the  wide  sea. 

"  My  good  youth,  how  would  you  have  me  treat  you  ? 
— clasp  you  in  my  arms,  and  salute  you  on  both  cheeks 
d,  la  Francaise  f     Not  any,  thank  you  !  "  he  said,  coolly. 

The  boy  looked  down,  and  his  lips  quivered  slightly. 

«  I  never  meant  to  offend  you — I  never  did!  You  hate 
me,  and  I — I  would  die  for  you  !  " 

He  turned  to  go.  Disbrowe  thought  of  the  time  he  had 
saved  his  life  at  the  risk  of  his  own,  and  a  pang  of  self- 
reproach  smot<i  his  heart.  He  started  up,  and  laying  his 
hand  on  the  la/i's  shoulder,  said,  kindly : 

"  Forgive  me,  I  did  not  mean  to  hurt  your  feelings ; 
but  the  truth  is,  I  am  moody,  and  out  of  sorts,  and  just 
in  the  humor  ^^  quarrel  with  the  whole  world.     Come, 


l\  fl 


'  m 


I      ''\ 


I  ''v: 


'.■;;|. 


i  •:^ 


m 


Uk 


376 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


that 


and 


rill 


Jacinto,  after  i 
friends." 

He  held  out  his  hand,  with  a  slight  smile.  The  young 
Spaniard  caught  it  in  both  his  and  raised  it  to  his  lips, 
while  his  dark  cheeks  were  hot  and  crimson  with  some 
secret  feeling. 

"  And  so  you  really  like  me,  my  dear  boy  ?  "  said  Dis- 
browe,  half-puzzled  and  half-touched,  and  thinking  in- 
voluntarily of  little  Orrie. 

"  Oh,  yes !  "  exclaimed  the  boy,  lifting  his  sparkling 
eyes  fr^vently  to  the  handsome  face  of  the  young  Guards- 
man. 

"  Yet,  I  do  not  know  why  you  should — I  have  never 
done  anything  as  I  am  aware  of  to  merit  any  affection 
from  you." 

"  That  would  be  loving  from  gratitude,  seiior.  Do  we 
never  love  any  save  those  who  have  done  something  to 
merit  that  love  ?  " 

"  Well,  I  don't  know — if  you  were  a  woman  I  might  un- 
derstand it,  but  as  it  :'s — well,  never  mind,  I  am  glad  you 
do  like  me,  and  we  will  not  puzzle  ourselves  trying  to  dis- 
cover the  reason.  *  Never  look  a  gift-horse  in  the  mouth,' 
you  know.  We  will  account  for  it  on  the  principle  that 
scapegraces,  and  those  who  least  deserve  it,  are  always 
best  beloved,  ai  >  i  so  sic  vita  !  " 

"  Love  is  an  impulse,  and  despises  common  sense.  The 
young  god  is  always  painted  blind." 

"  Which  accounts  for  the  desperate  mistakes  he  makes 
sometimes,  But,  my  lad,  there  is  a  subject  painful  to 
both  of  us,  but  on  which  I  must  speak,  now  or  never  I 
I  mean  the  scene  I  saw  that  evening  going  to  the  library. 
You  know  to  what  I  allude  ?  " 

His  face  flushed  slightly,  as  he  "^^oke,  and  as  quickly 
grew  pale  again. 

"  Yes,"  said  Jacinto,  looking  straight  before  him ;  "  and 
I  have  often  and  often  since  wished  to  explain  what  I 
saw  you  misunderstuud." 

"  Well,  speak  out  freely,  do  not  fear  that  I  will  flinch 
from  the  stroke." 

"  There  is  no  stroke  to  fall.  We  loved  each  other  like 
brother  and  sister — nothing  more." 


LCh 

ke 


OVER  THE  SEA. 


277 


"  Nothing  more  !  Are  you  sure  ?  "  said  Disbrowe,  turn- 
ing, and  looking  searchingly  in  his  face. 

"  No,  nothing  more,"  said  Jacinto,  lifting  his  dark, 
reproachful  eyes.  "  Oh,  Captain  Dishrowe,  how  could  you 
think  so  ?  " 

"  Such  things  have  occurred  before." 

"  And  you  really  thought  for  a  moment  that  she  could 
love  a  boy  like  me,  in  the  way  you  mean  ?  " 

"  I  thought  so  for  a  good  many  moments,  my  dear 
fellow.  I  wronged  her — I  wronged  you  both  ;  and  I  am 
sorry  for  it  now,  when  it  is  too  late." 

"  Not  too  late,  seiior.  I  am  certain  she  hears  and  for- 
gives you." 

"  And  you,  my  boy  ?  " 

"  I  have  nothing  to  forgive." 

"  Thank  you !  was  she  angry  with  me  that  day  when 
Heft?" 

"  No,  only  grieved  and  hurt.  Your  words  went  to  her 
heart,  because — " 

"Well?" 

"  Because  she  loved  you.  Captain  Disbrowe." 

Both  paused,  and  the  fine  face  of  Disbrowe  was  dark 
with  sorrow  and  remorse. 

"  And  I  never  knew  it  till  it  was  too  late.  Oh,  Jacinto, 
why  does  every  good  gift  come  too  late  in  this  world  ?  " 

There  was  a  dark,  passionate  dejection  in  his  tone  that 
startled  the  boy.  He  softly  laid  his  hand  on  that  of  the 
young  man,  as  if  to  recall  him  back  to  himself. 

"  I  wish  to  heaven  I  had  never  set  foot  in  America, 
Jacinto ;  I  wish  I  had  been  dead  and  in  my  grave  before 
I  ever  thought  of  coming  here.  She  might  still  be  alive, 
and  I—" 

He  paused,  and  a  hot,  bright  tear  fell  on  his  hand.  He 
glanced  first  at  it,  and  then  at  the  boy,  with  a  strange 
look. 

"  What,  for  me  !  don't  shed  tears  for  me,  my  boy.  I  am 
not  worth  them,  and  never  will  be,  now.  Oh,  Jacinto !  the 
world  is  as  empty  as  a  nutshell." 

Again  that  sad,  reproachful  look  in  those  dark,  raised 
eyes. 

«  And  is  there  no  one  in  all  this  wide  world  who  loves 


I 

•III! 


278 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


I  Ml 


l\M. 


you  still  ?  Oh,  Captain  Disbrowe  I  are  all  dead  with 
Jacquetta  ?  " 

The  young  man  made  an  impatient  gesture. 

"  Of  what  use  is  love,  when  we  cannot  love  in  return  ? 
I  never  loved  ])ut  her,  and  now  she  is  gone  forever  !  Sadly 
true  are  the  words  of  the  Wise  IVfan,  *  .VU  is  vanity  and 
vexation  of  spirit  1  '     You  are  not  ill — are  you,  Jacinto  ?  " 

"  Oh,  no  !  " 

lie  was  leaning  over  the  side,  his  dark  eyes  fixed  on  the 
far-otf  horizon  ;  and  something  had  went  out  of  his  face 
at  I)isl)rowc's  words,  like  a  light  from  a  vase. 

"  Did  she  tell  you  she  loved  me,  Jacinto  ? "  he  asked, 
after  a  pause. 

"  There  was  no  need — I  saw  it." 

"  It  was  more  than  I  ever  saw  then — blind  idiot  that  I 
was  !  " 

"  Lookers  on,  tliey  say,  see  most  of  the  game.  And  she 
would  not  let  you  see  it,  because  she  was  high  and  proud ; 
and  she  knew  you — she  thought  you  were  bound  to 
another." 

"  Ah  !  and  that  was  the  reason,  that — 

•  Memory  of  a  lady 
In  a  land  beyond  the  sea.' 

And  because  I  was  bound  to  one,  I  lost  the  other  I  As  if 
one  smile  from  Jacquetta  were  not  worth  a  thousand 
Normas." 

He  spoke  more  to  himself  than  to  his  companion  ;  and 
he  did  not  observe  that  the  hand  that  lay  in  his  had 
grown  deadly  cold,  and  was  hastily  withdrawn. 

"  Did  she  ever  tell  you  she  was  married  ?  "  he  asked, 
after  another  pause. 

«  No." 

"  Did  she  ever  account  for  the  strange  nightly  mu.sic  ?  " 

"No." 

"  And  you  never  asked  her  ?  " 

"No." 

Disbrowe  looked  at  him,  a  little  surprised  at  his  laconic 
answers. 

"  You  are  ill,  my  boy  !  You  are  deadly  pale — sea-sick, 
perhaps  ?  " 


V. 


IC 


OVER  THE  SEA. 


279 


A  faint  smile  at  the  nnromnntin  hint  broke  over  the 
boy's  face  for  a  moineut,  and    then  as  (jniekly  diecl  away. 

"No,  I  am  not  soa-siek — I  never  am — it  is  nothing.  Is 
she — is  she — bui'ird  ?  " 

"  Yes  !  "  said  Disln'owe,  sliading  his  face  for  an  instant, 
as  the  memory  of  that  lonely  grave  in  the  cold,  dark  vault 
rose  before  him. 

"Poor  Jacquetta  !  "  said  the  lx>y,  softly,  his  eyes  again 
filling  with  tears. 

"  Do  not  speak  of  it  more,  Jacinto;  it  is  like  vinegar 
upon  niter  to  me.  Now  for  yourself.  May  I  ask  what 
is  your  destination?" 

"  I  am  going  direct  to  London." 

"Ah  !  then  we  will  be  fellow-travelers — that  is  my 
destination,  too.     Have  you  friends  in  London  ?  " 

"  Yes ;  I  think  so." 

"  Your  birtliplaee  is  Seville,  T  think  I  heard  them  say  ?  " 

The  l)oy  l)owed,  with  averted  face. 

"  You  nuist  be  my  guest  in  London,  my  dear  fellow.  T 
will  show  you  all  the  sights  worth  seeing,  from  the  Tower 
to  the  Thames,     ('ome,  what  do  you  say  'i  " 

"  That  I  thank  you  very  much ;  but  my  business  is 
pressing.  I  can  only  remain  in  your  great  modern  IJaby- 
lon  two  or  three  days ;  so,  you  see,  much  as  T  should  like 
to  accept  your  kind  offer,  I  must  yet  decline." 

"  Well,  I  am  sorry  ;  but,  as  it  cannot  be  helped,  I  sup- 
pose we  must  be  resigned.  Two  or  three  days  is  but  a 
short  time  to  see  the  wonders  of  London.  I  should  like 
to  have  taken  you  to  old  Fon telle  and  Disbrowe  Park — 
two  country  seats  of  ours — and  shown  you  what  the 
*  homes  of  Merrie  England '  are  like.  Lord  Earnecliffe 
would  have  liked  you  immensely,  and  so  would  her  lady- 
ship." 

"  You  are  too  kind.  Indeed,  I  wish  I  could  accept 
your  invitation ;  but  at  present  it  is  quite  impossible. 
Some  day  I  hope  to  be  more  fortunate." 

"  You  will  always  be  welcome,  my  boy — don't  forget 
that.  And  I  will  not  forget  that  you  once  saved  my  life 
at  the  risk  of  your  own.  If  I  seemed  to  do  so  for  a  time, 
it  was  when  I  unjustly  accused  you  ;  and  I  believe  grief, 
and  anger,  and  jealousy,  made  me  half  a  maniac.     All 


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THE  DARK  SECRET. 


that  is  past  now,  and  we  will  let  *  bygones  be  bygones.' 
Shall  we  not,  Jacinto  ?  " 

"  With  all  my  heart.  You  make  me  very  happy  by 
saying  so." 

"  Then  that  is  settled.  And  there  goes  the  last  glimpse 
of  the  bright  land  we  are  leaving.  I  wonder  if  we  will 
ever  see  it  again,  Jacinto  ! " 

"  Heaven  knows !    I  hope  to  do  so." 

"  I  hardly  think  I  ever  will ;  and  yet  1  like  America, 
and  those  American  people.  But  sunny  Spain  and  merry 
England  are  dearer  still ;  and  so  we  can  heave  a  sigh  for 
the  land  of  Columbus,  and  in  the  same  breath,  chant  the 
old  prayer :  '  God  bless  our  own  land,  that  lies  beyond 
the  sea,  for  it  is  like  no  other.'     Say  amen  to  that,  Jacinto." 

"  Amen,  from  the  bottom  of  my  heart.  It  is  home,  and 
doubly  dear  after  the  land  of  the  stranger." 

"  Yes ;  see  the  shores  fade  away  m  the  horizon ;  and 
now  we  are  en  the  *  wide,  wide  sea.'  Once  more  a  long, 
a  last  farewell  to  America." 

And  with  a  smile  he  turned  away,  and  descended  to 
the  cabin. 


One  dark,  unpleasant  evening,  two  months  later,  just 
as  night  was  falling  over  London,  a  hackney-carriage 
drew  up  before  a  large  hotel,  and  two  travelers  sprung 
from  it.  Both  were  wrapped  in  cloaks  ;  for,  though  the 
month  was  August,  the  evening  was  raw  and  chilly,  and 
they  wore  their  hats  pulled  down  over  their  brows.  One 
was  slight  and  boyish,  the  other  tall  and  dashing,  with 
a  certain  soldier-like  air  and  bearing. 

"  And  so  we  part  here,  Jacinto  ?  "  said  the  elder  of  the 
two. 

"  Yes,  Captain  Disbrowe ;  to  meet  again  some  day,  I 
hope." 

"  I  hope  so.  Don't  forget  you  are  to  come  to  see  me  if 
ever  you  return  to  England." 

«  Thank  you,  I  will  not  forget.  Good-by,  Captain  Dis- 
browe." 

"  Good-by,  my  dear  boy ;  and  as  the  Scotch  say,  *  God 
be  wi'  ye.' 


>  »> 


OVER  THE  SEA.    * 


281 


They  shook  hands  cordially,  and  then  the  younger 
turned  into  the  hotel,  and  Captain  Disbrowe,  wrapping 
his  cloak  close  around  him,  hurried  rapidly  down  the 
street.  Two  "  guardians  of  the  night "  were  leaning 
against  a  lamp-post,  talking,  and  the  young  man  struck 
violently  against  one  of  them  in  his  haste. 

"  Beg  pardon,"  he  said,  turning  round  for  a  moment, 
and  the  next  he  was  gone. 

The  watchman  rubbed  his  shoulder,  and  looked  after 
him  with  a  smothered  growl. 

"  A  lord,  that,"  said  his  companion,  looking  after  him 
also.     "  T  know  him  like  a  book." 

"  Well,  if  he  is  a  lord,  that  is  no  reason  why  he  should 
bring  up  against  a  fellow  as  if  he  was  made  of  cast-iron. 
Blessed  if  I  ain't  a  good  mind  to  give  him  in  charge  for 
*sault  and  battery.     What's  his  name  ?  " 

"  Lord  Earnecliffe,  as  used  to  be  Captain  Disbrowe  of 
the  Guards.  An  uncommon  wild  cove  he  was — used  to 
get  into  no  end  of  scrapes  with  thv'  rest  of  the  young  bloods, 
and  was  known  to  the  perlice  like  a  bad  penny.  lie's 
been  abroad  in  furrin  parts  somewhere ;  and  he's  Lord 
Earnecliffe  now  since  his  brother  died." 

"  What's  that  you  say  ? "  said  a  fashionable-looking 
young  man  who  was  passing,  as  he  stopped  suddenly. 


*'  What's  that  about  Lord  EarnecliiTe  ?  Have  you  seen 
him  ?  " 

The  policeman  started  up  and  touched  his  hat. 

"  Yes,  my  lord,  just  gone  past — the  new  earl,  I  mean.'* 

"  Yes,  I  know  ;  thank  you,"  said  the  gentleman,  as  he 
walked  rapidly  away. 

"  Another  of  'em,"  said  the  watchman,  leaning  back. 
"  That's  Lord  Austrey ;  he  and  the  other  were  always 
very  thick." 

The  gentleman  called  Lord  Austrey  hurried  rapidly 
along,  and  came  up  with  Disbrowe  near  the  end  of 
the  street.  Laying  his  hand  on  his  shoulder,  he  ex- 
claimed : 

"  Alfred,  my  boy  !  is  this  really  yourself,  or  your  ghost  ? 
Turn  round  until  I  see!  No  ;  it  is  you  \n propria  per- 
sona.    Welcome  back  to  England  !  " 

**  Austrey,  my  dear,  old  fellow  1 "  exclaimed  Disbrowe, 


.1  .*i 


m 


II  1: 


4 


I 


\   \: 


■I'n, 


282 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


delightedly,  "  who  in  the  world  would  ever  expect  to  see 
you  here?  " 

"  When  did  you  arrive  ?  " 

"  I  reached  London  an  hour  ago  only.  How  came  you 
to  know  me  ?  " 

"  I  heard  a  couple  of  Charlies  up  there  saying  that 
Lord  Earnecliffe  had  gone  past,  and  so  I  hurried  after." 

"  My  brotlier  here !     Where  is  he  ?  " 

"  Your  brother  ?  My  dear  fellow  !  is  it  possible  you 
don't  know  ?  " 

"  Know  what  ?    I  don't  understand." 

"  ]\ry  dear  Alfred,  your  brother  is  dead  !  " 

"  Dead  !  good  heavens  I  " 

"  Yes — he  died  three  weeks  ago  at  Disbrowe  Park,  of 
disease  of  the  heart.  I  wonder  you  did  not  see  it  in  the 
papers." 

"  I  have  not  looked  at  a  paper  for  the  last  two  months. 
Dead !     Oh,  Earnecliffe  !  and  I  not  there  !  " 

He  covered  his  eyes  with  his  hands,  half- stunned  by 
the  suddenness  of  the  shock.  Lord  Austrey  hailed  a  car- 
riage and  drew  him  into  it,  gave  the  driver  some  direc- 
tions, and  they  clattered  rapidly  away  over  the  stony 
street. 

Disbrowe's  brain  was  in  a  whirl ;  and  so  completely 
overcome  was  he  by  the  news,  that  he  could  not  ask  a 
single  question.  The  cab  stopped ;  they  got  out ;  and  it 
was  not  until  he  found  himself  in  his  friend's  room  that 
he  could  speak. 

"  And  Lady  Margaret — where  is  she?" 

«  At  Disbrowe  Park  still — waiting  for  you,  I  believe. 
It  is  most  astonishing  you  have  not  heard  of  it." 

"  I  never  heard  a  word  of  it.  Have  you  seen  Lady 
Margaret  since  ?  " 

"  Yes  ;  she  sent  to  know  if  I  had  heard  from  you.  She 
is  extremely  anxious  for  your  return." 

"  How  does  she  bear  it  ?  " 

"  Well,  calmly  enough.  You  know,  it  was  to  be  ex- 
pected, my  dear  fellow.  He  was  liable  to  die  at  any  mo- 
ment these  many  years.  He  had  just  been  taking  a  short 
walk,  and  sat  down  on  a  seat  to  rest,  and — never  rose." 

**  My  poor  brother !    Oh,  Austrey  I  he  was  such  a  kind 


OVER  THE  vSEA. 


283 


brother  to  nie — so  indulgent  to  all  my  faults,  and  their 
name  was  legion.     Who  is  with  Lady  Margaret  V  " 

"No  one  I  believe,  except  Mr.  Macdonald.  He  hap- 
pened to  be  at  the  Hall  at  the  time,  and  told  me  he 
intended  remaining  until  your  return.  It  would  not  do 
to  leave  Lady  Earnecliffe  quite  alone,  you  know. 

A  slight  red  came  into  Disbrowe's  pale  cheek. 

"  And  his  daughter — is  she  there,  too  V  " 

"No;  Miss  Macdonald  is  abroad — has  been  for  some 
time — but  is  expected  to  return,  shortly." 

"  Indeed  I     Where  is  she  ?  " 

"  Can't  say,  positively.  Somewhere  among  the  wilds  of 
Scotland,  I  think.  Of  course  your  marriage  must  be  post- 
poned now?  " 

"  Of  course,"  said  Disbrowe,  with  a  promptitude  that 
rather  surprised  his  friend.  "  There  can  be  no  two  ways 
about  that.  To-morrow  morning  I  will  start  for  Dis- 
browe Park." 

"  Do  so,  by  all  means.  Lady  Margaret  intends  spend- 
ing the  winter  in  Italy,  I  believe,  and  cannot  leave  home 
until  she  sees  you.  I  will  go  down  ^vith  you,  if  you 
choose." 

"  My  dear  George !  the  very  thing.  I  would  have  asked 
you  to  do  so,  only  I  feared  it  would  be  too  much,  even  for 
your  good  nature,  to  bury  yourself  alive  at  Disbrowe 
Park.     How  are  all  my  friends  in  London?  " 

"  All  quite  well,  I  think — some  have  gone  abroad,  and 
some  got  married.  A  j^rojjos  of  nothing — how  did  you 
like  your  visit  to  America  ?  " 

«  Well  enough." 

«  What  is  the  place  like  ?  " 

«  A  fine  country — you  should  see  it." 

"  I  don't  know.  I  never  care  for  wandering  beyond  the 
precincts  of  the  Serpentine  ;  the  world  beyond  that  is  only 
half-ci  dlized.     Do  you  like  the  Yankees  ?  " 

"  Very  much — never  saw  people  I  liked  better." 

"  Particularly  clever  and  wide-awake,  I  have  heard — 
the  men  all  smart,  and  the  women  all  handsome.  Well,  I 
don't  know  but  I  shall  take  a  trip  over  there,  some  day,  just 
to  see  for  myself.  It's  such  an  old  story  doing  the  Grand 
Tour,  as  they  call  it — like  the  journey  nurses  give  chil- 


i 


i 


*^ 


^l 


■II 


2F^ 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


dren  to  Banbury  Cross,  it's  slightly  monotonous.  But  you 
look  terribly  used-up,  my  dear  fellow ;  had  you  not  better 
retire  ?  " 

Disbrowe,  or,  more  properly.  Lord  Earnecliffe — but  the 
former  name  is  too  familiar  for  you  and  I  to  give  up, 
dearest  reader — arose,  and  Lord  Austrey  rung  the  bell. 
A  servant  appeared,  and  showed  him  into  an  elegantly- 
furnished  apartment,  where  the  greater  part  of  the  night 
was  spent,  not  in  sleeping,  but  in  pacing  up  and  down  his 
room,  lost  in  his  own  thoughts. 

After  an  early  breakfast,  next  morning,  the  two  young 
peers  were  in  their  saddles  and  ready  for  their  journey. 

"  And  now  for  Disbrowe  Park  !  "  exclaimed  Lord  Aus- 
trey, as  they  dashed  off  together  at  a  rapid  pace. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 


NORMA. 

*'  It  was  not  thus  in  other  days  we  met ; 
Hath  time  and  absence  taught  thee  to  forget  ?  " 

Never  fell  the  sunlight  on  a  fairer  English  homestead 
than  the  one  on  which  streamed  the  warm,  golden  sun- 
shine on  the  bright  September  morning  of  which  I  write. 
A  large,  irregular  old  building,  not  unlike  a  modernized 
castle,  or  a  French  chateau  that  had  taken  a  serious  turn, 
peeped  through  the  clumps  of  trees,  and  thick,  clustering, 
dark-green  ivy.  There  were  great  windows  of  stamed 
glass,  and  projecting  gables,  and  odd  rookeries,  and  an  old 
Gothic  chapel  at  one  end — very  pretty  and  romantic-look- 
ing indeed.  There  Avere  broad,  sunny  glades,  with  deer 
frisking  about,  and  long  laurel  walks,  and  shady  avenues ; 
even  the  trees  met,  and  intertwined  their  long,  green  arms 
overhead — delightful  walks  and  mighty  suggestive  for 
lovers.  There  were  a  couple  of  fountains,  too — three 
twisted  serpents  on  one  side,  spouting  forth  tall  jets  of 
water,  and  bronze  lions  on  the  other,  with  gold  and  silver 
fish  sporting  in  the  glittering  waters.  There  were  the 
sunniest  of  smooth  meadows,  the  most  velvety  of  lawns, 
the  brightest  of  terraces,  overrun  with  ivy,  roses,  jasmine, 
and  honeysuckles.    There  was  the  most  fragrant  and  bril- 


ou 

ter 

:he 

Lip, 

p11 

rht 

[lis 

• 

US- 

sad 

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in- 

te. 

;ed 

' 

rn, 

ed 
)ld 

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)er 

is; 

.1.1  o 

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ee 

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er 

le 

is. 

le, 
LI- 

^ 

NORMA. 


285 


liant  of  pastures,  bright  with  flowers  of  every  hue  and 
size,  from  the  wee,  modest  English  violet,  to  the  gaudy, 
flaunting  tulip,  passion  flowers,  and  tall,  creamy  mag- 
nolias. There  was  a  mimic  lake,  lying  like  a  great  white 
pearl  in  a  setting  of  emeralds,  where  snowy  water-lilies 
floated,  and  on  whose  silvery  bosom  majestic  swans,  of 
dazzling  whiteness,  serenely  swam.  Altogether,  it  was 
like  a  little  glimpse  of  fairy-land,  a  peep  into  Arcadia ; 
yet,  had  you  asked  the  gate-keeper  in  his  pretty  little 
lodge  beside  the  great  gate,  he  would  have  told  you  it  was 
only  Disbrowe  Park. 

The  young  lord  of  the  manor,  in  a  rich  Turkish  dressing- 
gown,  and  black  velvet  smoking-cap,  with  a  gold  tassel,  lay 
on  the  low  sofa,  at  full  length,  looking  very  handsome  and 
very  lazy.  Being  left  to  his  own  devices — Lady  Margaret 
having  gone  abroad — he  was  alternately  regaling  himself 
with  smoking  a  meerschaum,  reading  the  morning's  letters, 
yawning,  and  looking  out  of  the  window.  None  of  the  epis- 
tles seemed  to  have  the  power  of  fixing  his  attention  ;  for, 
after  glancing  lightly  over  tlicm,  he  crumpled  them  up, 
and  threw  them  into  a  chiffonnlere — which  had,  no  doubt, 
been  placed  there  for  that  purpose — blew  a  few  whiffs  of 
his  meerschaum,  caressed  an  exquisitely  beautiful  little 
grayhound  that  lay  on  the  carpet  beside  him,  and  leisurely 
went  on  with  the  next,  which  shared  the  same  fate.  At 
last  he  lighted  upon  one  that  aroused  his  wandering 
thoughts  ;  for  he  started  as  he  read  it,  and  a  look  of  angry 
annoyance  and  chagrin  passed  over  his  face.  As  he  finished, 
he  uttered  an  impatient  ejaculation,  and,  springing  to  his 
feet,  began  pacing  rapidly  up  and  down  the  room,  after 
his  custom,  when  angry  and  excited. 

A  tap  at  the  door  disturbed  his  irritated  soliloquy. 
"  Come  in,"  he  called ;  and  Mr.  Norton,  his  valet  de  chain- 
bre,  "  confidential,"  etc.,  made  his  appearance. 

"  Lord  Austrey,  my  lord,  has — " 

"  There  !  Lord  Austrey  can  announce  himself,"  said  that 
individual,  springing  up  the  stairs,  two  or  three  st3ps  at  a 
time.  "  That  will  do,  my  friend ;  make  yourself  thin  as 
air  as  soon  as  possible." 

Mr.  Norton  bowed,  and  went  off ;  and  Lord  Austrey 
flung  himself  on  a  lounge  opposite  Disbrowe. 


1 1 


i 


m 

\ 


1 1'> 


286 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


« Now,  then !  I  don't  see  why  tiiking  things  easy 
shouldn't  pay  in  my  case  as  well  as  in  other  people's. 
Earnecilitt'e,  my  dear  fellow,  what's  up  ?  You  look  as  if 
you  had  lost  your  best  friend." 

"What's  up?  Read  that!"  said  Disbrowe,  angrily, 
throwing  him  the  crumpled  letter.     *•  No  need  to  ask." 

Lord  Austrey  leisurely  smoothed  it  out,  and  glanced  at 
the  superscri[)tion. 

« *  To  the  lUffht  Ilonorahle,  the  Earl  of  EarnecUffe: 

"  Humph  1  that's  all  right  enough.     Now  for  the  inside  : 

"  *iVlY  DEAR  Alfred  : — You  will  be  pleased  to  hear  that 
Norma  arrived  in  town  two  days  ago,  and  is  at  present 
visiting  her  cousin,  Mrs.  Tremain,  at  her  residence,  in 
Berkely  Square,  where,  no  doubt,  she  will  be  delighted  to 
see  you  at  the  earliest  possible  moment. 

*  Yours  truly, 

*Raxdall  Macdonald.' 

"That's  all.  It's  on  the  short,  sharp  and  decisive 
principle.  And  now,  my  dear  Earnecliffe,  let  me  con- 
gratulate you ! " 

"  Congratulate  me ! "  said  Disbrowe,  looking  at  him« 
"  For  what,  pray  ?  " 

"  There's  a  question  I  '*  exclaimed  Lord  Austrey,  appeal- 
ing to  society  at  large.  "  The  man  asks  what  he's  to 
be  congratulated  for,  when  his  lady-love,  who  has  been 
away  for — how  long  is  it,  Earnecliffe  ? — comes  suddenly 
back,  and  *  will  be  delighted  to  see  you  at  the  earliest  pos- 
sible moment,  — in  fact,  hangs  like  a  ripe  plum,  ready  to 
drop  into  your  mouth  at  any  instant." 

« I  do  not  believe  in  ripe  plums  ready  to  drop  into  one's 
mouth  !  "  said  Disbrowe,  dryly.  "  I  had  rather  have  the 
trouble  of  climbing,  and  plucking  one  for  myself." 

"  Unreasonable  mortal  I  you  might  get  a  severe  scratch- 
ing in  the  attempt." 

"I  would  risk  it.  The  greater  the  trial,  the  greater 
the  triumpli,  you  know.  The  consciousness  of  gaining  a 
victory  would  more  than  repay  me  for  the  trouble." 

"  You  remind  me  of  the  old  adage : 

'  Fly  love,  and  love  will  follow  thee : 
*  Follow  love,  and  love  will  flee.' 


NORMA. 


287 


Now  where,  oh  most  fastidious  youth,  can  you  find  one 
more  beautiful,  more  accomplished,  more  wealthy,  more 
fitted  in  every  way  to  become  Countess  of  Earned itfe, 
than  this  same  Miss  Norma  Macdonald  '^ " 

«  Nowhere,  perhaps.  But,  supposing  I  am  not  inclined 
for  having  a  Countess  of  Earneclifte,  at  all,  what  then?" 

"  Wiiy,  you  never  mean  to  say  you  are  going  to  per- 
petuate single- blessedness  all  your  life  ?  " 

"  Upon  my  word,  I  don't  know  Init  what  I  shall ;  if  I 
can  get  my  head  out  of  this  noose,  I  mean." 

"  Why,  the  man's  crazy  I  (xone  stark,  staring  mad,  as 
sure  as  shooting !  Do  you  feel  any  violent  symptoms 
coming  on,  my  dear  fellow?  or  do  you  feel  like  th^  country 
Bwain  in  the  play,  '  Hot  and  diy  like,  with  a  pain  in  yc  ur 
side  like?  Hadn't  I  better  ring  for  Norton  and  the  smell- 
ing-bottle ?  I'm  afraid  you've  had  a  rush  of  insanity  to  the 
brain  lately,  and  that  reminds  me — this  is  the  full  of 
the  moon,  isn't  it  ?  Where's  the  almanac  ?  "  And  Lord 
Austrey  started  to  his  feet,  the  very  picture  of  constc^.- 
nation. 

"  Pshaw  I  Austrey,  don't  be  a — I  mean,  don't  talk 
nonsense. " 

"Nonsense,  man!  I  never  was  so  serious  before  in  my 
life.  I  should  hope  I  had  cause.  When  a  man  goes  and 
sets  his  what's-their-names  ? — heart's  best  affections,  and 
all  that  sort  of  thing,  on  his  friend,  and  then  sees  him  a 
fit  subject  for  Bedlam,  it  is  time  to  be  serious,  I  think. 
Give  up  Norma !  What  the  unm(mtionable-to-ears-polite 
has  inspired  you  with  that  notion,  most  unhappy  youth  ?  " 

"  Austrey,  I  wish  you  would  be  serious  for  live  minutes," 
said  Disbrowe,  springing  up  and  pacing  up  and  down.  "  I 
really  and  truly  do  want  to  get  out  of  this  business,  if  I  pos- 
sibly can.  You  are  the  only  friend  I  can  decently  consult 
on  the  subject ;  and  as  you  happen  to  be  a  relative  of  mine,  I 
don't  mind  speaking  to  you  about  it." 

"  A  fifty-fourth  cousin,  or  something  of  that  sort — ain't 
I  ?  The  first  tremendous  shock  is  over,  and  I  have  steeled 
my  heart,  and  nothing  can  move  me  more.  Hand  me  that 
bottle  of  sal  volatile.  Now  I'm  prepared  for  the  worst ; 
so  make  ready — present — fire  ! " 

"Austrey,  loill  you  stop  your  nonsense,  and  listen  to 


:   ') 


-i  ,1 


ra 


f 


\  ■• 


288 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


I'll; 


me  ?  "  excljiimed  Disbrowe,  in  a  rage.  "  Can't  you  be  sen- 
sible for  once  in  your  life  ?  " 

"  Well,  there — I'm  done  I  "  said  Austrey,  adjusting  the 
pillow  more  comfortably  under  his  head.  "  I'll  promise  to 
be  as  sensible  as  is  consistent  with  the  intellectual  faculties 
nature  has  gifted  me  with.  Now,  state  the  case.  You 
want  to  get  clear  of  this  contract  of  yours — do  you?  '* 

«  Yes." 

"Hut  why — what's  the  reason?" 

*'  Well,  I'm  in  no  hurry  for  marrying  for  half  a  dozen 
years  yet,  for  one  thing ;  and  Miss  Norma  Macdonald  does 
not  suit  me,  for  another." 

"  You're  engaged  to  her — are  you  not  ?  " 

"  Yes ;  but  it  was  an  engagement  of  her  father  and 
Earnecliffe's  making." 

"So!  and  the  Honorable  Alfred  Disbrowe  and  Miss 
Norma  had  no  voice  in  tlie  matter  ?  " 

"  Well,  to  tell  the  truth,  I  made  no  objection.  There 
is  a  wide  difference  between  a  portionless  younger  brother 
and  a  titled  earl,  you  know;  and — " 

"And  the  heiress  that  would  have  suited  Alfred  Dis- 
browe to  a  T,  doesn't  exactly  come  up  to  the  mark  for 
the  Earl  of  Earnecliffe,  I  see  !  " 

Disbrowe  colored  slightly. 

"It  looks  rather  villainous — doesn't  it ?  But  the  fact  is, 
I  never  loved  Norma  as  a  man  should  love  the  woman  he 
intends  to  spend  his  life  with ;  but  you  know  the  proverb, 
more  expressive  than  elegant :  *  Needs  must  when  the 
devil  drives  !  "  And  I  was  confoundedly  hard  up,  over 
head  and  ears  in  debt  to  the  children  of  Israel ;  and,  in 
fact,  there  was  no  help  for  it,  then.  Now,  however,  I  have 
money  enough ;  and  upon  my  soul,  Austrey,  I  cannot 
tell  you  how  repugnant  the   idea  of  this  marriage  is  to 


?» 


me. 

There  was  an  almost  passionate  vehemence  in  his  tone. 
Lord  Austrey  looked  at  him,  and  slightly  smiled. 

"  I  say,  Earnecliffe,  you  didn't  leave  your  heart  behind 
you  in  America,  I  hope  ?  " 

Disbrowe  turned  white  for  a  moment,  even  to  his  lips. 
His  friend  saw  his  mistake,  and  instantly  regretted 
what  he  had  said. 


NORMA. 


289 


**  My  dear  fellow,  I  beg  your  pardon !  T  only  spoke  in 
jest;  I  had  no  idea — " 

"  Enougli,"  said  Disbrowe,  waving  bis  band.  "  Say  no 
more  about  it.  Hut  now  tbat  you  bavo  beard  tbe  case,  as 
you  call  it,  wbatam  I  to  do?  I  want  to  get  rid  of  tbisen- 
gjigenient  witbout  luirting  tbe  young  lady's  feelings." 

"  I  wonder  if  sbe  eares  for  you  ?  " 

"  Sbe  used  to,  I  tbink.  Time,  tbougb,  may  bave  cbanged 
her  in  that  particular." 

"  If  it  hasn't  I'll  be  banged  if  I  see  bow  you  are  to  get 
rid  of  your  fetters.  You  can't  go  and  tell  tbe  poor  girl 
you  don't  care  about  her,  and  ask  her  to  cancel  tbe  bond. 
Women  are  privileged  to  do  such  things,  but  men,  unhap- 
pily, are  not.  You  would  have  tbat  old  lire-eater,  her 
father,  shooting  you  first,  and  suing  you  for  a  breach  of 
promise  aft  r." 

"  It  would  be  a  terrific  pitch  of  fatherly  vengeance  to 
shoot  me,  and  make  me  pay  damages,  too,"  said  Disbrowe, 
with  a  slight  laugh.  "  Ileigbo !  there  is  nothing  for  it, 
then,  but  yielding  to  Fate    and  Miss  Norma  Macdonald." 

"  Yes,  supposing  sbe  is  in  love  with  you  still ;  but  if, 
in  the  meantime,  she  has  went  and  splashed  her  affec- 
tions on  somebody  else — eh  ?  " 

"  Ob,  in  that  case,  all  would  be  as  right  as  a  trivet.  I 
couldn't  tbink  of  forcing  a  young  lady,  you  know,  against 
her  will." 

"  Decidedly  not.  The  man  who  would  do  such  a  thing 
would  deserve  to  be,  for  the  rest  of  his  mortal  life,  a 
mark  for  tbe  finger  of  scorn  to  poke  fun  at.  Well,  now, 
suppose  I  go  in  and  win  there,  fascinate  the  young  woman, 
get  a  rich  wife,  and  clear  you,  thus  obliging  myself  and 
my  friend  at  the  same  time.  Q.  E.  D.,  that's  demon- 
strated, as  that  old  fool,  Numbskull,  used  to  say  at  Ox- 
ford." 

"  My  dear  Austrey — you  ?" 

"  My  dear  Earnecliffe.  me — decidedly  me ;  nobody  else. 
I  flatter  myself  I'm  equal  to  the  task,"  said  the  young 
man,  glancing  complacently  at  his  handsome  face  and 
figure  in  the  glass. 

"  And  you  really  intend  to  try  to  captivate  her  ?  " 

"I  most  really  and  emphatically  do.'* 


ii 


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290 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


"  Et  puis  f  ■'  Haid  Disbrowe,  l.iughing. 

"  And  tlicn  I  will  niiikc  her  Liuly  Au.strey  ;  her  father 
wants  to  get  lier  a  title,  and  I  don't  see  why  Austrey  is  not 
as  good  as  Earneclift'e.  To  be  sure,  you  are  worth  a  score 
of  thousands  a  year,  and  I  a))Gut  enougli  to  buy  kid 
gloves  and  pale  ale;  but  he  has  the  gilt,  and  he  might  as 
well  let  nie  spend  it  as  anybody  else." 

"  A  very  delightful  scheme,  my  gcxKl  friend ;  and 
therefore,  of  course,  quite  impracticable.  Old  Macdonald 
has  set  his  heart  on  marrying  me  to  his  daughter;  and 
<lo  you  suppose  he  will  coolly  stand  by  and  see  you  win 
the  golden  prize  ?  I  don't  doubt  your  success  with  the 
lady  ;  she  has  been  shut  up  like  a  nun  all  her  life,  and 
will  l)e  a  regular  Eastern  bride  for  exclusiveness ;  and, 
being  of  the  intensely-romantic  order,  will  be  ready  to 
forget  me  and  love  you  at  a  moment's  notice  ;  but  ah  I 
her  father  is  another  affair  !  " 

"  What  a  bore  fathers  are !  "  said  the  young  lord,  in  a 
tone  of  displeased  criticism.  "I  don't  see  why  pretty 
girls  need  have  such  things  at  all.  So  Miss  Norma's 
romantics — is  she  ?  Her  idtni  of  a  lover,  I  suppose,  is  de- 
rived from  those  charming  pictures,  where  the  scenery  is 
all  balconi<*s,  roses,  and  curtains  out  of  doors,  and  where 
a  gentleman  in  tights  and  a  guitar  is  urging  a  lady  on 
his  knees  to  go  to  sea  with  him  in  something  that  looks 
like  a  floating  cradle,  or  a  hearse  amusing  itself  with  a 
sail.  Well,  so  much  the  better ;  she  will  be  all  the  easier 
managed,  and  handsome  ladies  are  privileged  to  be  silly. 
As  to  the  governor,  he's  very  fond  of  his  daughter — isn't 
he?" 

"  Passionately — quit€  dotes  on  her." 

« All  right,  then !  She'll  fall  in  love  wdth  me,  that's 
settled.  Obdurate  parent  will  insist  on  her  marrying  you. 
Lady  weeps,  flings  herself  at  his  feet,  and  bathes  them 
with  her  tears.  Obdurate  parent  melts — calls  to  jooor  but 
strictly  honest  lover,  who  is  always  on  hand,  places 
lovely  daughter's  hand  in  his,  and  says :  "  Take  her,  you 
dog  I "  Lovers  fall  at  his  feet.  Obdurate  parent  stretches 
out  his  hands,  rolls  up  his  eyes  to  the  ceiling,  and  apos- 
trophizes the  flies  :  '  Spirit  of  my  sainted  Elizabeth,  be- 
hold my  happiness — bless  you,  my  children  I  may  you  be 


NORMA. 


291 


happy  I "  And  then  th(»  curtain  falls,  and  there  it 
ends." 

"  No,"  said  Dishrowo,  laughing,  "then  comes  the  farce, 
consisting  of  a  henpecked  husband  and  tliirteen  tow-headed 
Ncu'inas  and  Georges." 

Lord  Austrey  made  a  grimace. 

"  Ugh  !  don't  mention  it !  Call  that  a  farce  ? — a  tragedy 
more  likely.  Well,  but  really  an<l  truly,  and  so1>erly, 
Earnecliffts  T  don't  see  why  this  plan  should  not  work.'* 

"  We  can  try  it,  hut  I  (confess  I  am  skeptical.  Will  you 
come  with  me  to  town  ?  " 

"Certtiinly  1  when  do  you  go?" 

"  We  may  as  well  start  now,  I  suppose.  It  will  help  to 
kill  time,  and  that,  itself,  is  no  trifling  consideration.  For 
though  the  dolcefar  iiicnte  is  pleasant  enough  for  once 
in  a  way,  yet  there  is  such  a  possihility  as  having  too 
much  of  a  good  thing.     So  I  will  order  horses  at  once." 

He  rung  the  hell  as  he  spoke,  and  gave  the  necessary 
commands,  and  tlien  arose  to  divest  himself  of  his  dress- 
ing gown,  and  don  the  coat  and  pants  of  out-door  life, 
while  Lord  (George  Austrey  went  oh*  whistling  "  TTear  me, 
Norma,"  to  make  a  few  alterations  in  his  outer  lord  also, 
(if  the  expression  he  allowable).  How  the  sad,  plaintive 
air  recalled  Fontelle  and  Jacquetta  to  Disl)rowe ! 

Next  morning,  at  the  earliest  possible  hour  that  fash- 
ion would  permit,  our  two  young  "  peers  of  the  realm," 
in  faultless  morning  costume,  "  got  up,"  as  Lord  Austrey 
complacently  remarked,  "  regardless  of  expense,"  placed 
their  patent-leather  boots  on  the  aristocratic  doorstep  of 
the  Tremain  mansion.  A  porter,  quite  as  aristocratic  as 
the  doorstep,  admitte^^  them  to  a  sumptuous  drawing- 
room,  and  left  them  to  themselves-. 

"  I  dreamt  that  I  dwelt  in  marble  halls,"  hummed  Lord 
Austrey  ;  "  silence  and  solitude  this.  I  wonder  how  long 
Miss  Norma  will  keep  us  waiting." 


Scarcely  had  he  spoken  when  the  door  opened,  and  a 
short,  roll-about  little  woman,  all  smiles  and  dimples, 
came  in. 

"  My  dear  Lord  Earnecliffe,  welcome  home !  we  were 
all   very  sorry,  indeed,  to  hear  of  your  loss,  but  such 


I 


I? 


;    \\ 


ij 


292 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


|1;. 


thiniDfs  must  be  expected  in  this  life.  Good-morning, 
Lora  George ;  it  is  quite  an  age  since  I  have  seen  you. 
What  have  you  been  doing  with  yourself  lately?" 

"  Rusticating  at  Disbrowe  Park,  Mrs.  Tremain,  admir- 
ing the  beauties  of  Nature,  and  all  the  rest  of  it,  you 
know,"  answered  that  young  gentleman. 

"  And  leaving  all  the  young  ladies  to  wear  the  willow, 
you  naughty  boy,"  said  Mrs.  Tremain,  who  was  a  dis- 
tant relative  of  Lord  George's,  and  privileged  to  talk  to 
him  as  she  pleased.  "  Positively  at  Mrs.  Desmond's  card- 
party  the  other  night,  they  were  every  one  asking  for 
you,  and  went  feebly  about,  like  so  many  drooping  lilies, 
when  they  Ik  ard  you  had  left  town.  It  was  quite  heart- 
rending, I  assure  you  I  " 

"  Really  now  !  I  wasn't  aware  I  was  such  a  lady-killer. 
I  must  endeavor  to  counteract  my  many  fascinations  for 
the  future,  I  see,  in  mercy  to  the  tender  sex." 

"  You  are  hardly  looking  so  well  as  when  I  saw  you 
last,  my  lord,"  said  Mrs.  Tremain,  turning  to  Di&browe. 
"  You  are  quite  pale  and  thin.  Do  you  not  think  so, 
George?" 

"  All  the  more  interesting,  Mrs.  Tremain.  Young  ladies 
admire  that  sort  of  thing,  I  have  heard.  Let  him  keep  on 
a  low  diet  for  a  fortnight  or  so,  and  read  the  '  Sorrows  of 
Werter '  for  an  hour  every  day,  together  with  a  small  dose 
of  *  Paradise  Lost,'  and  I'll  bet  my  diamond  ring  against  a 
ducat,  that  by  the  end  of  that  time  he'll  be  able  to  play 
the  '  Starved  Apothecary,'  and  have  every  female  woman 
in  Berkely  and  Grosvenor  squares,  not  to  speak  of  Picca- 
dilly and  the  West  End,  over  head  and  ears  in  love  with 
him." 

"  Thank  you,"  said  Disbrowe.  "  I  had  rather  be  ex- 
cused.    I  hope  Miss  Macdonald  is  well,  Mrs.  Tremain  ?  " 

"Quite  well — she  will  be  here  in  a  moment.  How  did 
you  enjoy  your  visit  to  America,  my  lord?" 

"  Very  much." 

"  IIow  is  Mr.  Do  Vere  ?  I  knew  him  when  we  were 
both  younger  than  we  are  now,  and  we  were  great  friends. 
You  visited  him,  of  course  ?  " 

"  Yes,  madam ;  I  spent  some  weeks  with  him.  He  is 
very  well." 


NORMA. 


nornmg, 
een  you. 


293 


» 


I,  admir- 
f  it,  you 

I  willow, 
-s  a  dis- 
>  talk  to 
d's  card- 
king  for 
ng  lilies, 
te  heart- 

[y-killer. 
tions  for 

saw  you 
i&browe. 
hink  so, 

ig  ladies 
keep  on 
rows  of 
lall  dose 
gainst  a 
to  play 
woman 
f  Picca- 
ve  with 

be  ex- 
plain ?  " 
ow  did 


ve  were 
friends. 

He  is 


^ 


«  And  you  really  liked  America  ?  It  is  not  much  like 
England,  I  suppose.  It  nmst  be  a  strange  country,  I  think, 
where  all  classes  are  on  an  equality,  negro  slaves  and  all. 
Dreadfully  barbarous,  I  think.     I  shouldn't  like  it  at  all." 

Before  Disbrowe  could  reply,  the  door  opened,  and 
Xorma  Macdonald,  the  object  of  all  their  schemes  and  plot- 
tings,  entered — the  fair  fiancee  of  Lord  Earnecliffe. 

Slie  was  tall  and  slight,  and  peculiarly  graceful  in  form, 
with  a  complexion  of  snowy  whiteness,  unrelieved  by  the 
faintest  tinge  of  color,  save  in  the  full,  rounded  lips.  Iler 
hair  was  of  a  bright  golden  hue,  and  was  worn  in  a  pretty 
silk  net,  something  like  the  present  fashion ;  but  instead 
of  the  blue  eyes  that  should  have  accompanied  that  pearly 
face  and  pale-gold  hair,  her  eyes  were  large,  lustrous,  and 
intensely  dark.  The  fair  hair  and  complexion  she  had  in- 
herited from  her  Scotch  father ;  the  dark  eyes  and  ro- 
mantic nature,  from  her  frail  and  giddy  French  mother.  A 
dress  of  dark  blue  silk,  set  off  to  the  best  advantage  her 
peculiar  style  of  beauty  ;  and  very  lovely  and  very  grace- 
ful indeed  she  looked— so  much  so,  that  Lord  Austrey 
wondered  inwardly  at  his  friend's  insensibility,  and  felt 
that  a  prize  like  this  was  well  worth  even  his  while  to  try 
for.  Both  gentlemen  arose  upon  her  entrance,  and  Dis- 
browe had  to  acknowledge  that  seldom  had  his  eyes  rested 
on  one  more  lovely.  He  thought  of  Jacquetta,'  wild, 
spirited,  daring,  bewitching  ;  and  she  seemed  like  the  dark- 
liued,  brilliant  passion-flower  of  her  native  land,  to  a  shy 
fragrant  violet,  this  pale,  gentle  English  girl. 

She  drooped  her  large  black  eyes,  and  laid  her  lily  hand 
for  a  moment  in  theirs,  murmuring  a  few  words  of  wel- 
come to  both,  and  tlien  retreated  to  a  sofa.  Still  and  re- 
served she  looked,  but  perfectly  easy  and  self-possessed ; 
yet,  as  she  sat  down,  there  was  just  the  faintest  percepti- 
ble tinge  of  pink  in  those  pearly  cheeks,  called  there  by 
some  inward  feeling. 

"  I  did  not  know  you  were  in  London,  my  lord,"  she 
said,  quietly.    "  I  understood  you  were  at  Disbrcwe  Park." 

"  I  was,  until  yesterday.  I  heard,  then,  yo"  were  in 
town,  and  so  called." 

«  So,  then,  I  am  indebted  to  Norma  for  the  honor  of  thia 
visit,"  said  Mrs.  Tremain  ;  "  but,  of  course,  I  might  have 


' 


ii 


! 


|i„: 


294 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


known  yon  wonld  never  have  called  to  see  yonr  oLl  friend, 
but  for  a  fairer  magnet." 

Disbrowe  aroused  the  old  lady  by  some  gn}  compliment, 
and  Lord  George  began  chatting  with  Norma — "  drawing 
her  out,"  as  he  afterward  uixormed  Disbrowe, "  to  see  what 
she  was  made  of." 

"  And  so  you  have  been  rambling  all  summer,  too,  Miss 
Macdonald,  like  our  friend  here  ?  While  he  was  doing 
the  savage  tribes  of  North  America,  you  were  roving 
through  the  land  of  kilts  and  poiridge,  ' o'er  the  muir 
among  the  heather.' " 

"  Come,  my  lord,  speak  respectfully  of  the  land  of 
rivers  and  mountains.  Remember,  I  am  a  stanch  Scotch 
lassie." 

"  Oh,  your  nationality  is  not  likely  to  be  mistaken,  while 
you  are  called  Miss  Macdonald.  By  the  way,  is  Mr.  Mac- 
donald in  town  ?  " 

"  No — papa  has  gone  over  to  Boulogne  on  business  for 
a  few  weeks." 

«  All  right,"  thought  Lord  George  ;  "  the  coast  is  clear 
^— but  faith !  I  begin  to  fear  the  young  lady  is  no  such 
easy  prize  as  I  thought  her." 

"  And  you  have  been  away,  too — have  you  not  ?  "  asked 
the  young  lady. 

"  Oh,  only  out  to  Disbrowe  Park  !  Splendid  place  for 
doing  the  dolcefar  niente,  as  Earnecliffe  calls  it.  What 
does  that  mean.  Miss  Macdonald  ?  It's  a  regular  Castle 
of  Indolence,  where  the  sun  shines  from  one  year's  end  to 
the  other,  and  the  very  dogs  are  too  lazy  to  bai'k." 

"  Indeed  ?  I  hope  you  have  not  caught  the  infection, 
my  lord!  " 

Before  Lord  Austrey  could  indignantly  repudit^te  any 
such  notion,  Mrs.  Tremain,  who  had  been  earnestly  con- 
versing with  Disbrowe,  exclaimed : 

"  Oh,  I  am  certain  Norma  knows !  Norma,  is  that 
portfolio  of  Emily's  in  your  boudoir?  As  Lord  Earne- 
cliffe has  just  come  from  America,  I  want  to  show  him 
that  American  scene  you  and  Emily  were  trying  to  finish 
yesterday." 

"  My  dear  aunt  1 "  exclaimed  the  lady,  rising  in  evident 
alarm. 


i 


NORMA. 


295 


tie 
to 


nt 


"  Nonsense !  nonsense  I  My  dear  lord,  she  is  so  bashful 
about  such  things,  you  would  never  know  hov  well  she 
can  draw,  if  I  did  not  show  you.    T  will  go  and  find  it." 

For  one  moment  Miss  ^facdonald  stood  as  if  about  to 
follow  after  her ;  but  meeting  the  strange  eye  of  Dis- 
browe,  she  relincjuished  her  design,  and  sunk  back  in 
evident  agitation  on  the  sofa. 

"  How  cruel  of  you,  jVIiss  Macdonald,"  said  Lord  Austrey, 
"  to  wish  to  deprive  us  of  the  pleasure  of  looking  at  the 
work  of  your  fair  hands  !  I  am  sure  both  Earnecliffe  and 
T  will  be  delighted  to  criticise  the  drawing,  and  point  out 
its  defects." 

«  How  very  gallant !  I  presume  you  are  about  as  good 
a  critic  as  T  am  an  artist.  But,  indeed,  I  would  rather 
aunt  would  not  show  you  tliis.  Emily  was  reading  an 
American  novel  the  other  day,  and  attempted  to  sketcli 
a  scene  it  described,  and  I  assisted  her ;  and  I  am  afraid 
Lord  Earned itfe,  who  has  been  over  there,  will  laugh  at 
our  poor  efforts." 

"  How  can  ycHi  suspect  me  of  anything  so  shocking.  Miss 
Norma  ?  Ah !  you  ought  to  see  those  American  scenes 
and  draw  from  life.  I  am  certaii^,  if  you  are  a  lover  of 
Nature,  and  liave  not  nuit«  outlived  all  your  old  enthusi- 
asm, you  would  be  delighted  with  them.  If  you  only 
could  see  Fon  telle  ! " 

"Fon telle!"  exclpimed  Lord  George.  "  Is  there  ii 
Fontelle  there,  too  V  " 

"  Yes — my  uncle's  residence ;  and  the  very  moral,  as 
my  old  nurse  used  to  say,  of  Fontelle  Pai'k — ntinus  the 
park.  Well,  my  dear  Mrs.  Tremain,  did  you  find  the 
drawing  ?  " 

"  Yes,  my  lord ;  here  it  is." 

She  handed  him  the  drawing,  and  he  uttered  an 
ejaculation  of  amazement  as  he  looked  at  it.  For  it  was 
the  "  Mermaid,"  and  th^  scenery  around  it  to  the  very 
life  !  There  was  the  river,  the  shore,  the  long,  straggling, 
deserted  road,  the  solitary  inn,  and  the  hills  and  woods  in 
the  distance.  And  there,  too,  out  in  the  river,  was  the 
low,  dark  schooner  of  Captain  Nick  Tempest,  as  he  had 
seen  it  the   first  evening  he    had    ridden    that    way. 

"  Why,  what  is  the  meanmg  of  this  ?  "  he  exclaimed, 


<■•  1 


296 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


looking  up  ;  "  that  is  the  Mermaid  Inn  for  a  ducat ! — that 
is  the  Hudson  river,  and  that  schooner  is  the  *  Fly-by- 
Night,'  as  sure  as  my  name's  Earnecliffe.  Why,  Miss 
Norma,  are  you  a  magician  ?  " 

She  laughed  as  she  met  his  eyes,  but  her  fair  cheeks 
were  crimson. 

"  Not  exactly  1  But  you  are  laughing  at  me.  Lord 
Earnecliffe  I  Do  you  mean  to  say  that  poor  sketch  is 
like  anything  you  have  ever  seen?" 

"  To  the  very  life  I  I  have  looked  on  that  very  scene 
dozens  of  times." 

"  Something,  perhaps,  slightly  resembling  it  ?  " 

"  No ;  that,  as  it  is,  to  an  iota,  without  a  shadow  of 
difference.  Some  one  must  have  described  this  to  you, 
Norma  ?  " 

"  Oh  I "  said  Mrs.  Tremain,  anxious  her  own  daughter 
should  share  the  credib,  "  Emily  commenced  it  from  a 
description  she  read  from  a  book — probably  the  scene 
was  laid  in  that  part  of  America  where  you  were.  Norma 
assisted  her  to  finish  it,  only." 

"  It  is  an  odd  circumstance,  any  way.  I  wonder  what 
Mr.  Rowlie  would  say,  if  he  knew  two  English  ladies  had 
been  sketching  his  inn  ?  "  And  Disbrowe  laughed  at  the 
idea. 

«  Who  is  Mr.  Rowlie  ?  "  asked  Lord  Austrey. 

"  Oh  !  a  particular  friend  of  mine — keeps  that  inn  you 
see  there — a  glorious  old  fellow  he  is,  with  the  nicest 
little  wife  I  Shall  I  tell  you  all  that  picture  wants.  Miss 
Macdonald,  to  make  it  complete  ?  " 

"  Oh,  yes  !     by  all  means !     What  is  it  ?  " 

"  Well — a  rider  before  the  door,  horsewhipping  an 
elderly  individual  with  the  most  villainous  face  you  can 
possibly  draw ;  while  a  boy  as  handsome  as  an  ang^l,  and 
dressed  like  a  stage  brigand,  interferes  to  keep  the  peace. 
You  will  have  a  striking  scene  from  life,  then." 

"  Striking ! "  exclaimed  Lore!  George.  "  Faith  !  I 
should  say  so — a  pretty  subject,  that,  for  Miss  Macdonald's 
pencil!"    '       - 

After  a  few  more  remarks  on  the  subject  of  the  sketch, 
both  gentlemen  arose  to  go.  Lord  Austrey  and  Mrs. 
Tremain  were  conversing  together  in  one  part  of  the  room. 


NORMA. 


297 


while  Disbrowe  was  taking  his  departure  with  Norma. 
She  turned  to  him  witli  an  agitated  face,  as  lie  arose  to 
go ;  and  without  looking  up,  said,  hurriedly,  and  with  a 
heightened  color : 

"  Lord  Earnecliffe,  I  have  something  very  important  to 
say  to  you  in  private,  and  as  soon  as  may  be.  When  can 
I  see  you  again  ?  " 

Her  evident  agitation,  her  downcast  face,  and  hurried 
voice  amazed  him. 

«  At  any  time  you  please.  I  am  always  at  your  service, 
Norma." 

"  Then  this  evening — are  you  engaged  ?  " 

"  No.     I  have  no  engagement  that  I  cannot  break." 

"  Then  Mrs.  Tremain  and  Emily  will  be  out,  and  I  will 
be  alone.     Will  you  call  this  evening  ?  " 

"  I  shall  be  only  too  happy." 

"  It  is  a  strange  request,  I  know,"  she  said,  coloring  in 
painful  embarrassment ;  "  but  you  will  understand  me 
this  evening.  It  is  absolutely  necessary  this  interview 
should  take  place,  and  immediatehj.  I  see  Lord  Austrey 
is  going ;  so  good-morning,  my  lord." 

He  bent  over  the  hand  she  extended,  completely  puz- 
zled by  her  strange  manner ;  and  when  Lord  Austrey  had 
made  his  adieu,  both  went  out  together.  The  latter 
gentleman's  cab  stood  at  the  door,  and  they  sprang  in 
and  drove  off. 

"  By  Jove  !  she's  a  beauty ! "  enthusiastically  exclaimed 
Lord  George,  as  they  dashed  along.  "  I  am  half  in  love 
with  her  already." 

«  Which — the  aunt  or  the  niece  ?  " 

"  Oh,  pooh !  I  hope  my  religious  education  has  not 
been  so  far  neglected  that  I  did  not  learn  the  Command- 
ment :  '  Thou  shalt  not  covet  thy  neighbor's  wife.'  Don't 
you  think  la  belle  Norma  has  improved  since  you  saw 
her  last?" 

"  Ye-es,"  said  Lord  Earnecliffe,  slowly.  "  She  has 
altered,  but  whether  it  is  an  improvement  or  not,  I  am 
not  ready  to  say  at  this  present  moment." 

"  Well,  for  one  thing,  she  is  not  such  a  gushing  young 
female  as  she  was." 

"  No ;  but  she  has,  unhappily,  gone  to  the  other  extreme. 


't 


i'i 


♦     n 


f    J 


M 
(it 


298 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


Her  manner  seemed  cold,  constrained,  unnatural,  I 
thought." 

«  Oh,  that  was  caused  by  meeting  her  betrothed  *  afore 
folks.'  If  you  had  been  alone,  it  would  have  been  a 
different  story."  • 

«  Well,  I  am  soon  likely  to  know.  I  am  to  see  her 
this  evening." 

"  Whew  !     You're  not  going  there  again — are  you  ?  " 

"  Yes.     Have  you  any  objection  ?  " 

"  Yes,  I  have ;  most  decided  objections — most  de-cided 
objections!  Have  you  forgotten  she  is  to  be  Lady 
Austrey,  and  that  you  have  given  up  all  right,  claim,  and 
title  to  the  lady?" 

"  Well,  no ;  but,  to  tell  the  truth,  the  engagement  was 
of  her  own  making.  She  told  me  she  would  be  alone, 
and  asked  me  to  come." 

Lord  Austrey  fell  back,  and  indulged  in  a  long,  wailing 
whistle  of  intensest  surprise. 

"  There's  Miss  Slyboots  for  you  !  Oh,  your  shy  ones  are 
never  to  be  trusted !  What,  in  Heaven's  name,  can  she 
want  with  you  this  evening  ?  " 

"  That  is  something  I  did  not  ask  her.  To  give  me 
my  coffpe  de  conge^  I  should  judge  by  her  look  when 
giving  the  invitation.  She  said  it  was  of  the  utmost 
importance,  and  was  to  be  heard  by  me  alone." 

"  Well,  I  am  astonished  !  I  say,  Earnecliffe,  you  won't 
make  love  to  her — will  you  ?    Honor  bright,  you  know." 

Disbrowe  laughingly  promised.  And  they  were  soon 
driving  through  the  park,  too  busy  answering  bows  and 
salutations  to  talk  further  of  Norma. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 


OFF  WITH  THE  OLD  LOVE. 


J 


**  Was  ever  woman  in  this  humor  wooed  1 
Was  ever  woman  in  this  liumor  won  ? 
I'll  have  her  !  "  Shakspeare. 

For  some  cause  or  other,  Disbrowe  felt  extremely  anx- 
ious for  the  hour  to  come  when  he  was  to  see  Norma. 
Her  manner,  even  more  than  her  words,  had  implied  that 


OFF  WITH  THE  OI.D  LOVE. 


299 


the  interview  betolteiied  soinetliing  serious  and  unusual. 
Slie  had  been  coniplutely  transfonued  since  he  had  seen 
her  last ;  changed  more  than  he  had  thought  it  possible 
any  one  could  ])e  in  so  brief  a  time  ;  and  her  manner  to 
him  had  been  something  more  than  reserved — it  was 
rigidly  cold.  Wliat  could  be  the  cause  ?  Was  it  possible 
that  during  his  absence  she  had  contracted  another 
atta;hment,  and  was  anxious  to  be  rid  of  the  old  one? 
"  Too  good  to  be  true,"  he  thought,  with  a  sigh,  as  he 
strove  to  account  for  lior  agitation  and  coldness  in  some 
other  way. 

The  drawing,  too,  trivial  as  the  matter  was,  puzzled 
him  not  a  little.  That  any  one  could  have  sketched  the 
whole  scene  so  accurately  from  merely  reading  a  random 
description,  he  could  not  believe ;  it  must  have  been  seen 
to  be  so  faithfully  depicted.  Yet  who  was  there  to  see 
it?  Neither  Emily  Tremain  nor  Norma  IMacdonald  had 
ever  visited  xVmerici,  he  felt  certain  ;  and  who  was  there 
but  himself  to  describe  it  to  them  ?  Altogether,  he  felt 
more  completely  mystified  and  x^izzled  than  he  had  ever 
been  about  a  small  j natter  in  all  his  life  before. 

At  an  early  hour  that  evening,  he  presented  himself  at 
the  Tremain  House,  and  was  shown  by  the  aristocratic 
porter  respectfully  mentioned  before,  through  a  "  marble 
hall "  into  the  parlor,  and  left  to  his  own  devices,  while 
the  yellow- plush  gentleman  went  to  have  Miss  Macdonald 
apprised  of  her  visitor. 

He  had  not  long  to  wait.  The  door  presently  opened, 
and  NDrma  entered,  paler  even  than  she  was  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  looking  as  Avhen  he  had  seen  her  last,  agitated 
and  troubled. 

She  scarcely  looked  up  as  he  advanced  to  meet  her, 
and  shrunk  away  visibly  when  he  led  her  to  a  sofa,  and 
took  a  seat  beside  her.  But  she  need  not  have  been 
alarmed ;  had  he  been  an  archbishop,  lie  could  not  have 
behaved  with  more  gravity  and  decorum.  There  was 
very  little  of  the  ardent  lover  about  Lord  Earnecliffe  at 
that  moment.  His  heart  was  far  over  the  sea  with  Jac- 
quetta  in  her  lonely  grave. 

There  was  a  brief  and  embarrassed  silence,  which  the 
lady  was  the  first  to  break. 


^. 


f  #' 


it: 


ii      it 


300 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


i^ 


I 


"You  ware  doubtless  surprised,  my  lord,"  she  began 
in  a  slightly  tremulous  voice,  "  by  my  somewhat  strange 
request,  "  and  I  beg — I  beg — you  will  not  be  offended  at 
what  I  am  about  to  say." 

This  was  a  promising  beginning.  Disbrowe  looked 
at  her,  wondering  what  in  the  world  was  to  follow  this 
preface. 

"  Nothing  you  can  say.  Norma,  will  offend  me,"  he  re- 
plied, scarcely  knowing  v  hat  he  was  expected  to  answer 
to  this  strange  address. 

"  I  wish  I  could  think  so.  Gentlemen  all  have  a  large 
share  of  native  vanity — have  they  not  ?  "  she  said,  look- 
ing up  for  the  first  time  with  a  smile. 

"  Really,  I  can't  take  it  upon  myself  to  say  positively." 

"  I  have  heard  so  ;  and  if  it  is  true,  what  I  have  to  say 
may  wound  your  vanity — and  for  that  I  beg  pardon  be- 
forehand." 

"  It  is  granted.  Pray  go  on,  Miss  Norma ;  what  awful 
death-blow  is  my  vanity  destined  to  receive  from  your 
fair  hands  ?  " 

She  dropped  her  eyes,  and  a  faint  color  rose  to  her 
cheek. 

"  It  is  a  serious  matter,  my  lord.  You  remember — you 
cannot  have  forgotten  what  is — what  was  destined  to 
take  place  next  November  ?  " 

"  Oh  !  "  he  was  serious  enough  now ;  "  no,  I  have  not 
forgotten — how  could  I  ?  But,  Norma,  what  do  you  mean 
by  saying  *  was '  to  take  place  ?  " 

"  Because  I  hardly  think  it  ever  will  do  so  now.  Lord 
Earnecliffe,  I  know  you  desire  to  be  free,  and  I  release 
you  once  and  forever  from  your  engagement !  " 

"  Norma  P'  he  half- sprung  from  his  seat  at  the  first 
shock.  Her  beautiful  face  was  as  white  as  monumental 
marble,  but  she  was  also  as  firm  and  composed. 

"  Sit  down,  my  lord.  I  am  certain  this  does  not  take 
you  unawares.  I  feel  sure  that  after  this  morning  you 
must  have  had  a  presentiment  of  what  was  coming ;  and 
further,  you  will  do  anything  but  grieve,  now  that  you 
have  heard  it." 

"  Norma  I " 

"  It  was  a  bond  not  of  our  own  making,  and  it  would 


»» 


OFF  WITH  THE  OLD  LOVE. 


301 


d 


gall  as  both.  My  father  and  your  brother  were  the  cause 
of  the  step  you  took,  and  perhaps  tliere  were  ten  thousand 
reasons  why  you  should  not  at  the  time  decline  it." 

There  was  a  touch  of  sarcasm  in  her  tone,  and  the  blood 
flushed  scarlet  for  a  moment  to  his  face. 

"  I  do  not  intend  to  reproach  you,  my  lord,  but  this  I 
will  say — yoit  did  wrong  !  You  should  not  have  led  me 
to  believe  you  loved  me,  when  you  knew  in  your  heart 
you  never  could  or  would  care  for  me  more  than  you  did 
for  any  other  of  your  dear  five  hundred  friends.  I  was 
a  silly,  romantic  girl,  I  know,  who,  perhaps,  needed  this 
lesson  to  bring  her  to  her  senses  ;  but,  my  lord,  I  would 
rather  any  other  hand  than  yours  had  struck  the 
blow." 

Her  lip  trembled  in  spite  of  herself,  and  she  put  her 
hand  for  a  moment  before  her  face. 

"  Norma — Norma  !  "  he  cried  out,  passionately,  "  you 
wrong  me  !     I  did  love  you  once  !  " 

"  Ah !  you  did^''  she  said,  turning  her  pale  face  toward 
him,  and  lifting  her  clear,  dark,  penetrating  eyes  to  his 
face,  "  then  you  do  so  no  longer  ?    I  knew  it  1  " 

He  averted  his  face,  and  was  silent. 

"  My  lord,  answer  me,"  she  said,  laying  her  hand  ear- 
nestly on  his  arm,  "  it  is  better  for  us  both.  Answer  me 
on  your  honor  as  a  gentleman — do  you  love  me  noio  f  " 

"  Oh,  Norma !  forgive  me  !  I  never  was  worthy  of  your 
love ! " 

Her  hand  dropped.     She  sat  as  if  turning  to  stone. 

"  Have  I  wronged  you  beyond  reparation?  Will  you 
never  forgive  me.  Norma  ?  " 

"  I  forgive  you,  my  lord !  I  cancel  the  bond,  and  you 
are  free ! " 

"  Oh,  Norma !  fairest  and  best,  you  forgive  me,  but 
when  will  I  be  able  to  forgive  myself ! " 

"  Do  not  think  of  it—  such  things  happen  c  very  day. 
It  is  only  the  way  of  the  world." 

There  was  an  untold  depth  of  bitterness  and  sorrow  in 
her  tone.  He  did  not  dare  to  look  at  her,  but  leaned  his 
head  on  his  hand  with  a  groan. 

"  You  have  acted  as  most  would  have  done ;  and  as 
•wisdom  is  only  bought  by  experience,  I  will  be  wiser  for 


w 


\  :• 


It  11 


i :  1 

!  I 


:   W 


'  si 


t 


i> 


m\ 


302 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


il 


tho  future.  Do  not  blame  yourself  too  severely,  my  lord ; 
it  all  does  not  rest  on  you.  Others — the  dead  and  the 
living — have  alike  erred,  yet  I  suppose  they  thought  they 
were  acting  for  the  best.  T<et  us  be  thankful  it  is  no 
worse — we  have  ))oth  cause  I  " 

"  Oh,  Norma  !  " 

"  You  have  got  a  fortune  and  a  title,  and  do  not  need 
to  make  a  ttiarlaffe  ile  com^encmce  ;  and  I  have  discovered 
it  all  in  time ;  so  things  are  not  so  bad,  my  lord,  as  they 
might  ])o." 

"  Oh,  Norma !  What  a  villain  I  must  seem  in  your 
eyes !  " 

"A  villiMu !  Oh,  not  at  all;  it  is  a  common  thing 
enough,  and  habit  redeems  everything.  Perhaps  we  may 
both  live  to  be  thankful  things  have  ended  as  they  have. 

"  But  your  father.  Norma  ?  " 

"  My  father  loves  me  well  enough  to  sacrifice  even  his 
long-cherished  plan  at  my  wish.  I  have  only  to  say  I  do 
not  wish  this  engagement  to  be  fulfilled,  and  he  will  leave 
me  as  free  as  air." 

"  Norma,  did  you  ever  love  me  ?  "  he  asked — his  man's 
vanity,  as  slie  rightly  judged,  wounded  by  her  apparent 
coldness ;  for  when  men,  the  generous  creatures  !  re- 
nounce the  woman  who  has  once  told  them  she  loved 
them,  they  like  to  think  of  her  as  pining  away,  and  dying 
of  a  broken  heart,  and  all  that  sort  of  thing,  for  their 
sake ;  and  Lord  Alfred  Earnecliffe,  though  an  English 
peer,  was  just  made  of  the  same  clay  as  his  more  plebeian 
brethren. 

"  My  lord,"  she  said,  with  a  dark,  bright  flash  of  her 
eye  that  reminded  him  of  Jacquetta,  "you  have  no  right 
to  ask  that  question  ! " 

"  Perhaps  not,  but  I  fancy  there  has  been  little  love 
lost  on  your  side,  and  that  you  are  very  glad  to  be  rid  of 
me." 

"Ah,"  she  said,  with  a  half- smile,  "did  I  not  say  your 
masculine  vanity  would  be  wounded  ?  Confess,  now,  it 
would  be  balm  of  Gilead  for  you  to  see  me  shedding  floods 
of  tears,  and  bemoaning  like  a  tragic  heroiiie  my  hard 
fate." 

"  No,  I  hope  I  am  not  qpite  so  selfish.     Since  we  must 


OFF  WITH  THE  OLD  LOVE. 


303 


St 


part,  I  am  glad  yuu  mind  it  so  little — yes,  I  am ! "  ho 
said,  trying  hard  to  convince  himself  he  spoke  the  truth. 

"  Thank  you  !  And  now,  my  lord,  let  me  ask  you  a 
question — do  you  intend  remaining  for  the  present  in 
England  ?  " 

"  Yes,  I  rather  think  so.     I  am  tiled  of  rambling." 

"That  is  well.  I  want  to  go  abroad  and  travel  for  a 
year  or  two  on  the  Continent;  and  if  you  were  going,  I 
should  remain  Avhere  I  am.  So,  when  JNIrs.  Tremain  and 
Emily  leave  next  month,  I  shall  go  with  them.*' 

"  But  you  are  sure  your  father  will  make  no  ol)jeetions 
to  thifc.  overthrow  of  all  his  plans  ?  " 

"No;  on  the  contrary,  I  am  quite  sure  he  ?/*/// object, 
but  I  think  I  can  persuade  him  to  let  me  do  as  I  please. 
One  thing  I  dread,  and  that  is,  what  the  world  will  say. 
I  am  mortified  to  death  to  think  papa  made  this  un- 
fortunate engagement  known." 

"  It  would  be  better,  perhaps,  had  he  not ;  but  the 
world  shall  know  how  it  is — that  I  am  a  rejected  lover. 
I  shall  then  have  the  consolation  of  being  pitied  by  bright 
eyes  and  rosy  lips  without  number." 

She  smiled — but  her  smile  was  as  faint  and  cold  as  a 
moonbeam  on  snow,  and  she  arose,  to  signify  that  their 
interview  was  at  an  end. 

"  You  will  excuse  me,  my  lord  ;  my  head  aches,  and  I 
am  unable  to  entertain  you  just  now.  As  this  is  prob- 
ably the  last  time  we  will  see  each  other  alone,  I  will 
bid  you  good-by,  since  to-night,  as  betrothed  lovers,  we 
part  forever." 

She  held  out  her  hand.  lie  took  it  in  both  of  his,  and 
looked  sadly  in  her  face.  It  was  strange,  now  that  the 
desire  of  his  heart  was  attained,  how  lonely  and  grieved 
he  felt. 

"  It  is  a  hard  word  to  say.  Norma,  and  harder  still  to 
think  you  and  I  must  henceforth  meet  as  strangers." 

"  You  may  think  so  to-night.  To-morrow  you  will  re- 
joice." 

"  Well,  be  it  so.     Farewell,  Norma." 

"Adieu,  my  lord." 

"  Oh,  Norma  !  not  that.  Say  Alfred,  as  you  used  to, 
*  lang  syne.' " 


n 


t 


»fi!/ 


A  11 


3<^4 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


"  Gocxl-by,  Alfred.  Ileuven  send  you  some  one  you  can 
love,  and  who  will  love  you." 

"  A  wish,  Norma,  that  will  never  be  fulfilled ;  but  I 
thank  you  all  the  same.     And  so — " 

He  sliook  hands,  and,  with  a  last  look  at  the  pale,  fair 
face,  and  tali,  graceful  figure,  he  turned,  and  left  her  alone. 

And  so  was  broken  the  tie  that  was  to  bind  those  two 
through  life. 

It  was  in  a  strange  state  of  mind  Lord  Earnccliffe  hur- 
ried along  to  rejoin  his  friend.  Pleasure  and  regret,  and 
a  strange  mortified  feeling  were  at  war  within,  and  when 
lie  entered  the  room  where  Lord  Austrey  lay  stretched 
on  a  sofa,  solacing  himself  with  a  cigar  and  the  last  Punchy 
he  flung  liimself  into  a  chah',  and  looked  half  moodily  at 
the  ncmchalant  young  lord. 

"  Well,  my  beloved  Damon,  what  news  ?  What  ter- 
rific mystery  of  iniquity  has  been  brought  to  light  ?  In 
what  state  of  mind  did  you  leave  her  peerless  highness, 
Princess  Norma  ?  " 

"Hadn't  you  b  cter  go  on  with  the  catechism?  Ask  a 
few  more  questions  before  you  stop :  What  is  the  chief 
end  of  man  ?  What  do  the  Scriptures  principally  teach  ? 
Go,  on,  why  don't  you  ?" 

"  Psliaw !  what  was  this  mysterious  interview  all 
about?    If  the  question  is  impertinent  don't  answer  it." 

"  Oh,  I  will  answer  it  readily  enough !  It  is  something 
you  will  be  very  glad  to  hear.  Her  peerless  highness  has 
rejected  the  slave,  and  you  behold  before  you  a  discarded 
suitor." 

Lord  Austrey  half  rose,  and  took  his  cigar  between  his 
finger  and  thumb. 

"  Eh  ?    What ?    Just  say  that  again,  will  you  ?  " 

Disbrowe  laughed. 

"  I  am  discarded,  rejected,  refused,  jilted  !  Is  that  plain 
enough  to  suit  your  limited  capacity,  my  young  friend  ?  " 

Up  sprung  Lord  Austrey  to  his  feet,  and,  flinging  away 
his  cigar,  he  stretched  out  his  arm,  and  putting  on  that 
enthusiastic  expression  all  Othellos  wear,  exultingly  cried : 

** '  Excellent  wench  !  perdition  catch  my  soul  I 
But  I  do  love  thee  ;  and  when  I  love  thee  not, 
Chaos  is  come  again  ! ' 


OFF  WITH  THE  OLD  LOVE- 


305 


Wliat'H  the  n*Ht,  Eurnecliffu  ?  I  havt'ii't  scon  Othello 
played  lately.  Deuce  take  that  cigar  I  I  have  burned 
my  fingers." 

"  What  a  loss  you  are  to  the  stage,  Austrey  I  If  Nature 
had  not  made  you  a  IJritish  peer,  you  would  have  heen  a 
treasure  heyond  price,  to  do  the  hij^h-tragedy  business. 
IIav(^  you  ever  turned  your  thoughts  to  tlie  stage  as  the 
means  of  earning  an  honest  living?" 

"  Hah  !  don't  talk  nonsense  !  I  want  to  hear  all  the 
particulars.  Are  you  really,  and  truly,  and  seriously 
jilted  r' 

"  I  really,  and  truly,  and  seriously  am  !  " 

"Good  I  Fate  has  turned  the  cold  shoulder  to  me  ever 
since  I  was  old  enough  to  know  th(»  lady  ;  but  I  felt  sure 
she  would  smile  at  last.  And  she  has,  you  see.  Norma's 
mine  !  " 

"Don't  be  too  sure.  She  may  serve  you  as  she  has 
me." 

"  No  fear.  The  little  3Iacdonald  has  better  taste.  I>ut 
what  reason  did  the  damsel  give  ?  " 

"  None  at  all,  except  that  I  did  not  love  her — and, 
faith  !  she  hit  the  right  thing  in  the  middle  just  then. 
And  so  the  engagement  was  broken,  now  and  forever. 
I  felt  about  three  inches  high  at  the  time,  I  can  tell 
you ! " 

"  Te  Deum  !  What  a  slice  of  good  luck  for  George  of 
Austrey  !     What  is  papa  going  to  say  about  it  ?  " 

"Oh!  she  has  promised  to  make  it  all  right  there. 
She  will  bring  him  to  view  matters  in  tlieir  proper  light, 
she  says.  She  goes  abroad  with  the  Tremains  next 
month." 

"  Better  and  better !  I'll  be  an  attache  of  that  em- 
bassy, or  know  for  why.  I  never  was  properly  thankful 
before  that  my  maternal  ancestor  and  Mrs.  Tremain  were 
twenty-second  cousins,  or  something;  but  it  just  suits 
me  exactly  now  !  Won't  I  console  our  pretty  Norma  on 
the  way  !  *  Make  hay  while  the  sun  shines ' ;  tliere's 
nothing  like  it,"  cried  Lord  George,  in  a  hazy  recollection 
of  some  proverb. 

"Well,  I  hope  you'll  be  successful,  of  course,"  said 
Disbrowe,  feeling    dreadfully   hypocritical ;  for  he  was 


\ 


11 


3o6 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


amazed,  he  could  scarcely  tell  why,  by  his  friend's  reso- 
lution of  success. 

"  Successful !  Of  course  I  will.  There  is  no  time  when 
a  girl  is  more  disposed  to  smile  on  a  new  lover  than  after 
she  has  discarded  an  old  one  ;  and,  ahem  I  a  Lord  George 
Austrey  is  not  to  be  come  across  every  day,  I  flatter  my- 
self. So,  when  Norma  comes  back  to  England,  you  may 
be  ready  witl)  your  congratulations,  my  Lord  of  Guilford 
and  Earneclitt'e." 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 


A    SECRET    SORKOW. 

"I  have  a  secret  sorrow  here — 
A  grief,  I'll  ne'er  impart ; 
It  heaves  no  sigh — it  sheds  no  tear, 
^       But  it  consumes  the  heart." 

Three  days  after,  T^ord  Earnecliffe  went  back  to  Dis- 
browe  Park,  leaving  his  friend  in  London — a  constant 
visitor  at  Tremain  House.  Whatever  Miss  Macdonald 
felt,  she  had  enough  of  the  pride  of  Albion's  stately 
daughters  to  conceal;  and  she  rode,  and  walked,  and 
drove,  and  went  to  the  theater  and  the  opera  nightly ; 
and  Lord  Aastrey  was  always  of  their  party.  His  dis- 
tant relationship  to  the  Tremains  stood  him  in  good  stead 
now,  and  he  took  care  not  to  be  too  particular  in  hjs  at- 
tentions, but  to  be  quite  as  devoted  to  Emily  Tremain  as 
to  Norma  Macdonald.  He  left  it  to  time  to  ripen  their 
acquaintance  to  a  warmer  feeling.  And  Lord  George 
acted  wisely.  A  handsome  face  and  figure,  and  gallant 
bearing,  seldom  fail  to  please  ladles ;  and  Lord  George 
cculd  be  agreeable,  not  to  say  fascinating  even,  when  he 
chose.  Miss  Macdonald  might  have  the  bad  taste  to  be 
insensible  to  his  manifold  attractions  just  at  present, 
while  the  wound  her  first  love  had  received  was  still 
rankling ;  but  there  was  a  good  time  coming,  and  Lord 
George,  being  none  of  your  fiery  mad-headed  lovers,  was 
quite  content  to  wait,  and  console  himself  with  the 
maxim  :  "  Mieitx  vaut  tard  que  jamais.'''' 

And  at  the  end  of  the  month,  having  given  himself  an 


A  SECRET  SORROW. 


307 


invitation  to  join  their  party,  which  Emily  Treniain — 
wlio  called  him  "Cousin  George,"  and  considered  him 
delightful — had  warmly  seconded,  they  all  set  off  together 
for  France.  Norma,  too,  was  not  displeased  at  this  new 
acquisition  to  their  party  ;  for  Lord  George  was  an  un- 
failing antidote  against  ennni  and  depr^  ^>sion  of  spirits, 
keeping  Emily  Tremain  especially,  who  had  a  strong 
natural  taste  for  the  ludicrous,  in  fits  of  laughter  con- 
thiually. 

Just  before  starting.  Lord  George  sent  an  ei)istle,  mther 
of  the  short  and  svVcet  order,  to  his  friend,  to  announce 
his  success. 

"  My  dear  Alf  : — We  are  off — to-morrow  will  find  us 
en  route  for  Paris.  The  battle  is  won  !  Norma  is  mine, 
as  certainly  as  if  she  was  signed,  sealed,  and  delivered ! 
What  a  superb  beauty  it  is — ma  belle  reine!  Ah,  Earne- 
cliffe !  you  don't  know  what  you  have  lost !  But  one 
man's  loss  is  another  man's  gain ;  and  so  bene  clicite  / 

AUSTKEY." 

Lord  Earnecliffe  read  it,  as  he  lay  slippered  and  dress- 
ing-gowned in  his  room,  ennui/ee  nearly  to  death,  and  an 
expression,  half-angry,  half-contemptuous,  came  over  his 
face.  How  little  she  must  ever  have  loved  him  to  forget 
hiiii  so  soon  ! 

A  life  of  inaction,  of  stagnation,  was  little  suited  to  the 
gay,  volatile  nature  of  Alfred  Disbrowe ;  yet  some  per- 
verse spirit  seemed  to  possess  him  now,  and  hold  him  in 
chains  at  Disbrowe  Park.  He  scarce  ever  went  to  Lon- 
don. He  visited  but  little  among  the  neighboring  gen- 
try, and  seldom  ever  saw  any  one  at  the  hall.  He  rarely 
rode,  or  hunted,  or  quitted  home,  and,  altogether,  became 
a  sort  of  anchorite — a  hermit— a  Robinson  Crusoe,  shut 
up  and  fortified  in  his  "  castle." 

The  young  ladies  of  the  neighborhood  pouted,  and  were 
terribly  mortified  to  find  the  handsome  and  wealthy 
young  peer  so  insensible  to  all  their  fascinations,  while 
the  sentimental  ones  looked  upon  him  with  romantic  in- 
terest, and  fell  in  love  with  his  dark,  melancholy  eyes, 
and  sighed  to  comfort  him  in  his  solitude. 

Having  nothing  better  to  do,  Disbrowe  amused  himself 


if 


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!: 


■A  J 


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\     I 


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\^i 


3o8 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


with  looking  after  his  tenantry  and  improving  his  estate ; 
and  this,  with  lying  lazily  on  a  sofa,  and  smoking  no  end 
of  cigars,  constituted  his  indolent  and  aimless  life. 

He  felt  a  little  ashamed  of  himself  sometimes,  and  his 
useless  existence.  But  a  spell — a  languor  of  mind  and 
body — was  upon  him,  and  he  wanted  a  motive  to  make 
him  rise,  like  another  Sampson,  and  burst  his  bonds. 

So  passed  the  winter ;  and  spring  and  summer  found 
him  still  loitering  at  Disbrowe  Park. 

At  odd  times  he  received  short,  spasmodic  letters  from 
his  friend  Austrey,  to  tell  him  they  were  "  doing  "  gon- 
dolas in  Venice,  or  Saint  Peter's  at  Rome,  or  risking  their 
necks  up  the  great  Saint  Bernard,  or  other  cold  and  un- 
comfortable places  in  the  Sj)lugen  Alps.  According  to 
his  account,  their  travels  were  something  in  the  style  of 
the  "  Dodd  Family  Abroad  " — a  continued  series  of  mis- 
hapF  and  misadventures,  together  with  jealous  Austrian 
governments,  rampagious  Italian  beggars,  savage  and 
unreasonable  couriers,  or  ferocious,  brigandish  guides, 
Avho  would  persist  in  not  understanding  him — Lord 
George — when  he  swore  at  them  in  English,  and  screamed 
out  his  directions  in  the  same  language.  He  further 
went  on  to  express  the  strongest  sort  of  contempt  for  the 
whole  Continent,  vehemently  asserted  England,  with  all 
its  fogs,  was  the  only  place  fit  for  a  rational  Christian  to 
live  in.  As  for  foreign  scenery,  he  had  a  poor  opinion  of 
it.  The  Rhine  was  well  enough,  but  not  fit  to  hold  a 
candle  to  the  Serpentine,  and  as  for  Baden,  Ramsgate 
was  worth  a  dozen  of  it.  All  this  had  very  little  interest 
for  Disbrowe ;  but  the  postscript  had,  where  Lord  George 
wound  up  by  informing  him  Norma  was  in  excellent 
health  and  spirits,  and  "  his  affair  "  was  progressing  as 
"  well  as  could  be  expected."  At  first,  this  used  to  in- 
variably put  Disbrowe  in  a  fume  ;  but  he  got  used  to  it 
pttev  a  time,  and  almost  as  indifferent  about  Norma  as 
the  rest.  Her  father  had  joined  them,  evidently  quite 
reconciled  to  the  broken-off  match,  and,  what  was  better 
still,  great  friends  with  the  volatile  young  lord.  It  was 
quite  uncertain  when  they  would  come  back,  but  probably 
not  until  late  the  next  autumn. 

Of  his  American  friends,  since  his  arrival  in  England, 


A  SECRET  SORROW. 


309 


he  had  heard  nothhig.  As  time  cooled  and  toned  down 
his  feelings,  he  began  to  regret  the  hasty  manner  in  which 
he  had  left  his  uncle's  roof,  who,  harshly  as  he  had  treated 
her  whom  Disbrowe  never  named  now,  even  in  his  own 
mind,  had  been  always  kind  to  him. 

Therefore,  in  a  fit  of  patience,  during  the  previous 
winter,  he  had  written  him  n  long  and  cordial  letter, 
urging  him  to  come  to  Englarid,  and  visit  him  at  Dis- 
browe Park,  and  bring  Augusta  and  little  Oriole  with 
him. 

It  was  strange,  how  ardently  he  wished  to  see  the 
little,  wild,  elfish  girl  again ;  partly  for  her  o^vn  sake,  and 
the  strange,  strong  love  she  bore  him,  and  partly  for  her 
mother's  sake — that  dead  mother,  his  first,  his  last,  his 
only  love. 

No  answer  had  come,  although  the  June  roses  were  in 
blossom,  and  the  letter  had  been  writt(^n  in  December, 
until,  one  morning,  the  mail  brought  him  a  brief  note,  in 
the  well-known  writing  of  Mr.  De  Vere.  It  was  dated 
London,  and  informed  him  that  he,  and  Augusta,  and 
Orrie  had  arrived,  and  awaited  him  tliere. 

Disbrowe  took  time  to  digest  his  surprise  and  pleasure, 
and  immediately  started  for  London,  and  went  direct  to 
their  hotel.  And  then  there  was  one  of  tliose  pleasant 
meetings  of  old  friends,  that  gleam  like  bright  little  flashes 
of  unalloyed  sunshine  through  this  tangled  life  of  ours, 
more  thar  compensating  us  for  the  sorrow  of  parting. 

Mr.  De  Vere  looked  half  a  dozen  years  older  than  when 
he  had  seen  him  last,  and  had  a  dreary,  lonely  look,  the 
cause  of  whicb  Disbrowe  well  understood.  But  Augusta 
was  still  more  changed  ;  she  had  wasted  away  to  a  shadow, 
with  white,  sunken  cheeks,  and  hollow,  lustrous  eyes  look- 
ing unnaturally  dark  and  large  in  her  thin  and  haggard 
face.  All  her  old  hauteur  and  lofty  pride  seemed  to  have 
faded  away  like  a  dream,  and  she  stood  before  him  de- 
jected, spiritless,  ghastly — like  a  spirit  from  the  grave. 

The  deep  mourning  she  wore  contrasted  glaringly  with 
her  pallid  face  and  blue- veined,  transparent  hands,  and 
Disbrowe  was  inexpressibly  shocked  and  grieved  as  he 
beheld  her. 

And  Orrie — he  scarcely  recognized  her  in  the  richly- 


;  I 


1 


i 


4' 


3IO 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


attired,  half-timid  little  miss,  who  shrunk  back  and  eyed 
him  askance  with  a  glance  half  shy,  half  laughing,  that 
leminded  him  with  a  thrill  and  a  shock  of  Jacquetta. 
A  year — most  of  it  spent  in  the  artificial  atmosphere  of  a 
fashionable  boarding-school — had  lobbed  little  Orrie  of 
most  of  he?  eldritch  boldness  and  brightness ;  V»ut  still 
it  broke  out  fitfully  at  times.  She  had  lost,  partly,  her 
wild,  elfish,  precocious  look,  too ;  and  with  her  shining, 
coal-black  hair  smoothly  braided,  and  her  pretty  dress  of 
rich  black  silk,  she  was  quite  another  being  from  the  wild 
little  kelpie  in  boy's  clothes  who  had  once  stabled  his 
horse.  They  all  seemed  to  have  changed ;  and  Disbrowe 
half  siglied  as  lie  took  her  in  his  arms  and  kissed  her,  and 
inwardly  wondered  if  he  had  changed,  too. 

"  And  Frank,"  he  said,  «  how  is  he  ?  " 

"  Frank  is  quite  well,"  said  Mr.  De  Yere.  "  I  got  him 
a  midshipman's  commission,  last  winter,  and  he  has  gone 
off  like  a  second  Jack  to  seek  his  fortune.  We  found  Fon- 
telle  terribly  dull,  and  your  kind  invitation  came  at  a 
most  opportune  moment.  Change  of  climate  may  do 
something  for  Augusta,  whose  health  is  failing  rapidly." 

"  I  noticed  Miss  De  Vere  was  not  looking  well,"  said 
Disbrowe,  lov/ering  his  voice  that  she  might  not  hear. 
*'  She  is  greatly  changed  since  I  saw  her  last.  What  is 
the  matter  ?  " 

"That  is  a  question  I  cannot  answer,"  replied  her 
father,  with  a  sigh.  "  Slie  has  no  bodily  ailment,  the 
doctors  say ;  but  something  is  evidently  preying  on  her 
mind,  undermining  both  life  and  happiness.  In  fact,  she 
has  never  beer  the  same  since  that  visit  oi  old  Grizzle 
Ilowlet's,  whatever  she  told  her.  Since  that  time  she  has 
pined  and  faded  away  ;  and  if  I  believed  in  the  Evil  Eye, 
I  should  say  my  poor  Augusta  was  its  under  influence." 

"Have  you  never  tried  to  discover  what  this  strange 
secret  is  ? " 

"  Repeatedly  ;  but  in  vain.  Augusta  only  wT.'ings  her 
hands,  and  cries  for  me  to  hjave  her,  until  I  have  no  longer 
the  heart  to  resist.  Oh,  Alfred,  my  boy,  it  goes  to  my 
heart  to  see  her  suftering  like  this,"  said  Mr.  De  Vere, 
with  filling  eyes. 

Disbrowe  pressed  his  band  in  silent  sympathy. 


A  SECRET  SORROW. 


3" 


"Do  you  think  she  would  tell  you,  Alfred?  She  liked 
you,  and  she  might.  Do  you  really  think  she  would  ?  " 
he  said,  eagerly. 

"  I  fear  not,  sir.  When  she  refused  to  tell  you,  it  is 
not  likely  she  would  make  nie  her  confidant — a  compara- 
tive stranger." 

"  I  am  sorry  !  I  am  sorry  I  If  slie  would  only  speak 
and  tell,  it  might  save  her  life — the  poor  Augusta — my 
poor,  poor  girl !  " 

"Does  Grizzle  Howlet  still  reside  at  the  old  inn?" 
asked  Disbrowe,  after  a  pause,  to  divert  his  mind  from 
the  subject. 

"  Yes,  tlie  old  limb  of  Satan  I  Oh,  Alfred !  that  a 
wretched  old  hag  like  that  should  have  caused  us  all  so 
much  misery ! " 

"Her  day  of  retribution  will  come  ;  be  assured  of  th^fc, 
sir  I  "  said  Disbrowe,  almost  sternly.  "  And  her  bonfrh^e^ 
Captfiin  Tempest,  what  has  become  of  him  ?  " 

"  Gone  off  in  the  *  Fly-by-Kight  '  on  one  of  his  dark, 
devil's  cruises  of  crime.  lie  went  shortly  after  you  left. 
By  the  way,  Alfred,  can  you  tell  me  anything  of  that 
young  Spanish  lad,  Jacinto  ?  We  never  could  hear  any- 
thing about  him  after  that  day.'''' 

"Yes,"  said  Disbrowe,  over  whose  handsome  face  a 
dark  shadow  fell — the  memory  of  that  sad  day.  "  Yes, 
he  came  with  me  to  London ;  and,  uncle,  he  was  treated 
ungenerously.     That  boy  was  guiltless  of  all  wrong." 

"  I  know  it — T  know  it  ?  "  groaned  Mr.  De  Vere.  "  Old 
Grizzle  to  taunt,  to  madden  me,  I  believe,  came  with  that 
villain  Tempest  to  Fontelle,  one  day,  and  derisively  told 
me  all  she  had  said  about  Jacquetta  was  false ;  all  save  in 
one  particular — her  being  the  daughter  of  this  reckless 
freebooter.  Jacquetta  knew  nothing  of  her  father,  nor 
of  her  mother,  except  that  she  Avas  one  of  the  frail  and 
erring  of  her  sex ;  and  that  never  in  the  slightest  action  had 
her  marriage  vows  been  broken  :  that  she  knew  nothing 
or  Orrie  save  her  birth,  and  that,  oh,  Alfred !  that  she 
refused  you,  loving  you  all  the  while.  My  poor  boy  !  it 
was  a  sad  day  for  you  both  when  you  met." 

Disbrowe  sat  with  averted  head,  his  eyes  shaded  by  hia 
hand,  and  made  no  reply. 


i\ 


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312 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


"  And  my  poor,  poor,  wronged  Jacquetta !  My  high- 
spirited,  broken-hearted  girl  I  Oli,  Alfred !  I  can  never 
forgive  myself  for  the  great  wrong  I  have  done  her," 
groaned  Mr.  De  Vere. 

"  She  was  cruelly  wronged,  sir  ;  but  you  acted  from  a 
sense  of  duty,  and  were  not  so  much  to  blame.  Let  the 
dead  rest ;  I  had  rather  not  speak  of  her." 

"  Iler  loss,  too,  has  preyed  on  the  mind  of  Augusta," 
said  Mr.  De  Vere,  recurring  to  the  former  subject ;  "  and, 
combined  with  the  death  of  her  mother,  has  increased 
the  depression  of  her  spirits,  and  left  her  as  you  see 
Ah !  Alfred,  I  am  not  very  happy  in  my  children !  " 

"  Her  brother  ?  "  said  Disbrowe,  with  a  si  art.  "  Do  you 
mean — " 

«  My  unhappy  idiot  son  ?  Yes,  he  is  gone,"  said  Mr. 
De  Yere,  in  a  husky  voice. 

Disbrowe  turned  away  in  silence.  "Had  Jacquetta 
been  alive  I  "  was  his  thought ;  and  a  pang  more  bitter 
than  he  ever  thought  he  cou^d  have  felt  for  her  again, 
pierced  his  heart. 

It  was  arranged  that  they  should  spend  a  week  in 
London  before  proceeding  further,  to  enable  Augusta  to 
recover  from  the  fatigue  of  her  journey.  Mr.  De  Vere 
was  busy  enough  during  that  time  in  receiving  and 
returning  the  visits  of  his  old  friends  ;  and  at  the  end  of 
the  week  they  all  set  off  for  Disbrowe  Park. 

Bright  and  radiant  in  the  golden  glow  of  a  June  even- 
ing, the  stately  home  of  Lord  Earnecliffe  had  never 
looked  more  beautiful.  Mr.  De  Vere's  eyes  lit  up  with 
pleasure  and  recognition  as  he  saw  it ;  Orrie  clapped  her 
hands  in  delight,  and  cried :  "  Ch,  how  pretty !  "  and 
even  Augusta's  languid  eyes  sparkled  with  new  and 
pleased  animation. 

"  It  is  a  beautiful  place — an  Arabia  Felix — a  garden  of 
delight — a  home  for  a  queen  I  "  she  said,  turning  to  Dis- 
browe whose  dark  eyes  were  bright  with  pleasure  and, 
pride. 

"  I  am  glad  you  like  it ;  it  was  my  boyhood's  home, 
and  my  fathers',  for  many  a  generation,  and  so  doubly 
dear  to  me." 

"  God  bless  old  England  !  "  cried  Mr.  De  Vere,  his  eyes 


A  SECRET  SORROW. 


313 


filling  wi^h  tears.  "  It  does  my  old  lieart  good  to  look 
on  her  sunny  homesteads  once  more." 

"  Oh,  what  pretty  fountains,  and  flowers,  and  avenues, 
and  trees  I "  exclaimed  little  Orrie,  her  black  eyes  spark- 
ling like  glass  beads.  "  And,  oh,  Gusty  !  look  at  the  birds 
m  those  pretty  little  houses ;  and  see  the  bees  away  over 
there ;  and,  oh,  look  at  that  dear  little  church,  with  the 
splendid  red  and  yellow  windows  !  Oh,  how  nice  I  "  cried 
Orrie,  clapping  her  hands. 

Disbrowe  laughed  at  her  enthusiastic  admiration,  which 
reminded  him  of  the  Orrie  of  other  days. 

»'  And  Miss  Orrie  sliall  have  a  pony,  too,"  he  said, 
gayly.  "  Wait  until  you  see  the  pretty  little  white  Arab 
I  have  for  you.    Can  you  ride  ?  " 

"  Oh,  yes ! — first  rate.     Can't  I,  grandpa  ?  " 

"  So  you  say  ;  but  self-praise,  you  know,  is  no  recom- 
mendation, my  little  girl." 

"  Oh,  I  know ! "  said  Orrie,  shrugging  her  shoulders. 
"Miss  Smith  used  to  give  us  that  for  a  copy  ;  but  I  can 
ride,  though,  ever  so  well.     Frank  learned  me." 

"Taught  you,"  amended  Mr.  De  Vere. 

"  Oh !  bother !  I  am  so  glad  you  have  got  a  pony  for 
me,  cousin  Alfred !  May  I  call  you  cousin  Alfred,  as 
Frank  used  to  do  ?  " 

"  Of  course — what  else  would  you  call  me  ?  " 

"  And  may  I  ride  out  to  morrow  morning  ?  " 

"  You  will  be  too  tired  to-morrow  morning,  after  your 
journey — won't  you  ?  " 

"  Oh,  la ! — no,"  said  Orrie,  with  one  of  her  i^hrill  laughs 
at  the  idea,  of  such  a  thing.  "I'm  ne\er  tired.  Oh, 
what  a  pretty  house  it  is,  any  way  !  —twice  as  nice  as 
Fontello  I " 

"  And  yet  you  used  to  think  Fon telle  a  very  beautiful 


piace. 


Orrie." 


"  Oh  I  know !  that  when  was  I  lived  with  old  Grizzle — 
the  nasty  old  thing  I — and  it  was  a  great  deal  nicer  than 
her  house,  but  not  near  so  nice  as  this.  Oh,  I  should  love 
to  live  here  forever  !  " 

"  Unhappily,  people  don't  live  forever  in  England,  ma 
chere  Mle  ;  but  you  shall  stay  as  long  as  I  can  keep  you. 
You  will  miss  Frank — will  you  not  ?  " 


M, 


i  1 


!, 


ii 


I 


iiSi^A 


m 


rvj 


314 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


*•  Yes,  some — we  used  to  quarrel  so,  you  know,  until 
grandpa  sent  me  to  school  in — oh,  just  the  horridest  place 
in  the  world!  I  didn't  like  it  at  all.  I'd  a  great  deal 
rather  grandpa  had  let  me  been  a  sailor,  and  went  to  sea 
with  Frank  in — oh,  such  a  lovely  great  big  ship,  and  such 
a  sight  of  ropes !  And  Frank  looked  so  splendid  in  his 
nice  jacket,  with  all  the  bright  buttons,  and  his  cap  with 
gold  on  it.  Oh,  he  looked  lovely  ! "  cried  Orrie,  enthusias- 
tically, laying  great  emphasis  on  her  notes  of  admiration. 

"  Indeed !  "  laughed  Disbrowe.  "  I  should  have  liked 
to  have  seen  him.  And  you  used  to  quarrel  when  you  were 
bothat  Fontelle?" 

"  Oh,  yes  !  Frank  used  to  get  so  ugly  sometimes — it 
was  all  his  fault,  you  know — and  we  used  to  have  such  a 
time  !  We  made  it  all  up,  though,  you  know,  before  he 
left ;  and  Frank  says  we  will  be  married  as  soon  as  ever  he 
comes  back." 

"  Ah !  that  will  be  pleasant — won't  it  ?  When  is  he  to 
come  back  ?  " 

"  In  two  or  three  years.  That  is  a  good  long  time,  ain't 
it — but  I  don't  mind,  so  long  as  I've  got  a  pony.  Oh, 
cousin  Alfred,  how  nice  you  are  I " 

"  Uncommonly  so  !  The  admirable  Crichton  was  noth- 
ing to  me !  But  here  we  are  at  the  house ;  and  now, 
mademoiselle,  we  will  see  whether  the  inside  suits  you  as 
well  as  the  outside." 

The  servants,  who  had  been  apprised  of  their  lord's 
approach,  were  drawn  up  in  the  hall  to  receive  him  as  he 
entered  with  Augusta  on  his  arm ;  and  Orrie  looked  about 
her,  quite  awe- struck  by  their  number  and  the  splendor 
around  her. 

"  Ain't  this  lovely,  grandpa  ? "  she  said,  in  a  whisper, 
giving  him  a  pull. 

"  Very  fine,  kitten — a  grand  old  manor." 

"  And  such  a  lot  of  servants  !     Oh,  my  !  " 

"  Hush  I  they  will  hear  you.  Do  you  like  it  better 
than  Fontelle?" 

"  I  guess  I  do !  I  wish  you  would  live  here  all  the 
time,  and  not  go  back  to  Fontelle." 

"  But,  it's  not  my  house,  monkey,  and  so  I  can't.  It 
is  Lord  Earnecliffe's,  you  know." 


m 


A  SECRET  SORROW. 


315 


**  Well — but  he  would  let  you  Htay,  T  guess.  T  uieiin 
to  lusk  him,  luiyvvay." 

«  But  that  is  not  polite.  People  sitouhl  not  invito 
themselves.     You  must  wait  until  he  asks  you." 

Orrie  gave  a  little  imi)atient  shrug. 

"  It's  such  a  bother  being  polite,  and  I  don't  see  any 
good  in  it,  either.  See  here,  grandpa — cousin  Alfred  isn't 
married,  is  he  ?  " 

"  Not  as  I  am  aware  of,  my  little  nettle — why  ?  " 

"  lie  ain't  going  to  l)e,  is  he  ?  " 

«  Well,  I  can't  say  positively — you  had  better  ask  him- 
self that.     Have  you  any  intentions  of  pro[)osing  to  him  ?  " 

"  No ;  you  know  I  haven't.  Didn't  I  t(>ll  you  I  was 
going  to  wait  for  Frank  ? "  said  the  young  lady,  Avith 
dignity.  "  But  I  thought  he  might  marry  Gusty,  and 
then  we  could  all  live  here — couldn't  we  ?  " 

"  Frank  and  all,  I  suppose,"  said  Mr.  De  Vere,  laughing. 
"  A  rare  plan,  hornet,  but  I  don't  know  wh.'it  cousin 
Alfred  and  Gusty  would  say  al)Outit.  You  had  better 
ask  them — hadn't  you?" 

"  I'm  going  to,"  said  Orrie,  as  she  turned  to  follow  a 
spruce  chambermaid  to  her  room  to  be  dressed  for  dinner. 

The  suggestion  of  Disbrowe's  marriage  recalled  some- 
thing Mr.  De  Vere  had  partially  forgotten — that  he  was 
to  have  been  married  the  previous  year.  It  was  a  deli- 
cate subject,  but  he  determined  to  ask  Disbrowc-  the 
reason,  and  an  opportunity  occurred  when  they  were  left 
alone  to  chat  over  the  "  walnuts  and  the  wine ''  after 
dinner. 

"  My  dear  Alfred,  I  expected  to  find  you  a  happy 
Benedick  by  this  time,"  he  said,  carelessly.  "  How  comes 
it  that  you  are  suffering  single  blessedness  still  ?  " 

"  The  match  was  broken  off,"  said  Disbrowe,  looking 
intently  at  the  orange  he  was  peeling. 

*'  Ah  ?  "  said  Mr.  De  Yere,  inquiringly. 

"  Yes,  by  the  lady's  desire.  She  did  not  fancy  rat- 
ifying a  contract  she  had  no  hand  in  making ;  and  so  slie 
is  Miss  Norma  Macdonald  still." 

"  But  I  thought  you  said  she  loved  you  ?  " 

«  Well,  I  may  have  been  mistaken — I  don't  pretend  to 
be  infallible ;  and,  even  if  she  did,  young  ladies  easily  get 


')  il 


I 


1,  ; 

'!     * 


II 


r  1 


^'-n 


3i6 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


over  such  thincfs.     Try  that  sherry,  uncle— it  ouglit  to  be 
jjoud,  ii  age  can  make  it  so." 

"  l^ous  vioez  en  roi  / "  said  Mr.  De  Vere,  with  a  smih?. 
"  Wliat  a  Sybarite  you  are,  Alfred,  in  this  luxuiious 
home  of  yours ! " 

"  Yes ;  as  far  as  tlie  good  things  of  this  world  go,  I 
believe  I  have  got  my  share  ;  but  is  there  any  one  living, 
my  dear  uncle,  who  has  not  still  some  wish  unfulfilled — 
some  dreary  if\  never  to  be  realized  ?  " 

"  And  yours  is — " 

"  Where  I  left  my  heart — in  the  tomb  of  Jacquetta,'* 
he  said,  sadly. 

"  Strong  love — strong  and  true  I  Oh,  that  Jacquetta 
had  lived  to  be  your  wife  I " 

"  Too  late — it  is  something  I  cannot  think  of  calmly, 
even  to  this  day.  IIow  little  I  dreamed,  when  I  first  saw 
Fontelle,  that  my  dream,  my  hope,  my  day-star,  was  to 
rise  within  its  walls.  IIow  little  I  dreamed,  when  I  first 
met  her,  of  all  she  was  destined  to  be  to  me !  " 

There  was  a  long  pause,  broken  first  by  Disbrowe,  who 
never  would  dwell  long  on  that  subject,  and  now  turned 
the  conversation  on  some  other  topic.  And  Mr,  De  Vere 
noticed  that  he  never  again  spoke  on  the  subject. 

For  a  brief  time  it  seemed  as  if  the  change  of  scene  and 
air  had  really  been  of  service  to  Augusta,  and  that  both 
health  and  spirits  were  improving;  but  it -was  only  a 
momentary  rallying,  that  soon  passed  away,  and  left  her 
spiritless  and  drooping  as  before.  Her  former  dark 
despair  and  wild  bursts  of  anguish  and  remorse,  alike 
seemed  to  have  passed  away,  and  a  dead,  inane  listless- 
ness — a  dull,  lifeless  stupor — a  blank,  hopeless  calm,  ter- 
rible to  see,  had  taken  their  place.  For  hours  she  would 
sit  with  folded  hands,  white,  cold,  and  voiceless,  her 
large,  dark  eyes  fixed  on  the  floor ;  a  living  automaton,  a 
breathing  statue,  a  moving  figure  of  ice.  Mr.  De  Vere 
was  in  despair ;  no  effort  could  arouse  her  from  her 
lethargy ;  no  amusement  could  win  a  smile  from  her ;  no 
excitement  could  arouse  interest — nothing  could  awake 
her  from  her  trance. 

Disbrowe  was  puzzled  and  interested,  his  curiosity  was 
excited,  and  that,  mingled  with  a  feeling  of  pity,  made 


A  SECRET  SORROW. 


317 


him  half  determined  to  ask  the  reason  of  this  mysterious 
grief.  He  felt  that  this  very  secreey  itself  was  augment- 
ing the  original  souree  of  her  trouhle,  whatever  it  might 
he ;  and  that  onee  she  took  some  one  into  her  eontidence, 
this  morhid  sinking,  from  sheer  laek  of  sympathy,  would 
vanish  like  morning  mists  before  the  sun.  As  a  nettle, 
which  sharply  stings  if  daintily  touched,  is  harmless  if 
boldly  grasped,  so  inward  grief,  if  nursed  in  silence, 
festers  and  rankles,  while,  dauntlessly  confronted,  it  hides 
its  diminished  head,  and  sinks  comi)aratively  into  nothing. 

One  still,  serene  moonlight  night,  leaving  >[r.  I)e  Wuo 
dozing  over  the  Tunes^  and  Orrie  anuising  herself  with 
her  bonne  and  a  book  of  prhits,  Disbrowe  strolled  idly 
out,  attracted  by  the  gentle  hush  of  the  charmed  hour. 
Sauntering  down  the  long,  shaded,  laurel  walk,  he  sud- 
denly stoi)ped  in  astonishment  at  l)ehol(ling  Augusta, 
half-sitting,  half-lying  on  a  bench,  her  long  hair,  unbound 
and  soaked  with  the  night-dew,  streaming  around  her ; 
her  face  hidden  in  her  hands,  her  whole  attitude  so  full 
of  woe,  so  crushed,  so  heart-broken,  that  a  thrill  of  terror 
and  pity  shot  through  the  young  earl's  heart. 

In  her  passionate  ahandon  she  heard  not  his  approach- 
ing footsteps,  and  it  was  only  when  he  gently  tried  to 
remove  her  hands  that  she  uttered  a  startled  cry  and 
sprung  up,  so  white,  so  wild,  so  terrified,  such  a  shadow 
of  her  former  self,  that  he  had  no  words  to  express  his 
deep  pity. 

"  Augusta,  my  dearest  cousin,  what  is  this  ?  Do  you 
not  know  the  danger  of  sitting  out  here  in  the  night- 
dew?" 

She  did  not  reply.  She  flung  herself  back  in  her  seat, 
and  hid  her  face  once  more  in  her  hands  with  a  groan. 

"  Augusta,  will  you  not  tell  me  what  this  means?  Can 
I  not  help  you  in  any  way  ?  Will  you  not  trust  your 
cousin?  " 

"  I  dare  not !  I  dare  not  tell  you  !  You  would  shrink 
from  me  in  horror  if  I  did. 

"  Not  so,  Augusta.  Are  you  not  my  cousin — almost 
my  sister?  Dear  Augusta,  whatever  this  mysterious 
secret  may  be,  you  may  safely  trust  me.  And  who  knows 
but  it  may  be  in  my  power  to  aid  you." 


1 


I 


3i8 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


"  No,  no.  You  cannot — yon  cannot !  It  is  beyond 
mortal  aid  !  "  she  despairingly  wailed. 

"AiigUHta,  it  i.s  killing  you — this  secrecy.  Why  not 
tell  your  fatlier — surely  you  can  trust  him?" 

"  Oh  !  not  to  him  !  not  to  him  !  I  would  socmer  tell 
you  a  thousand  times.  Oh,  Lord  Earnecliffe!  if  you  only 
knew." 

"  Will  you  not  tell  me,  Augusta  ?  Dear  Augiista,  it  is 
some  power  this  old  wretch,  who  has  already  wrought  so 
much  evil  to  us  all,  holds  over  you — is  it  not?" 

"  Oh  !  yes,  yes  !     She  alone  and  one  other  know." 

"It  is  some  imaginary  i)ower,  then — some  clever  scheme 
she  has  concocted,  and  which  will  prove  to  he  nothing 
but  empty  threats  and  vapor.  Courage,  Augusta  !  speak 
out  and  tell  what  it  is,  and  you  will  find  it  nothing  but 
thin  air.  Do  not  think,  Augusta,  that  I  urge  you  to  tell 
through  impertinent  curiosity  ;  but  for  your  own  peace 
of  mind  you  ought  to  make  a  confidant  of  some  one.  You 
do  not  know  how  evils  shrink  and  cower  when  boldly 
looked  in  the  face,  and  how  they  grow  into  huge  mis- 
shapen monsters  when  dreaded.  Come,  Augusta,  exorcise 
this  demon  that  haunts  yon,  and  be  yourself  once  more." 

His  bold,  frank  tone,  his  easy  confidence,  his  spirited, 
fearless  voice,  acted  powerfully  upon  her.  She  lifted  her 
eyes  to  the  bold,  resolute,  handsome  young  face,  and  with 
a  sudden  impulse  she  said  : 

"  I  will  tell  you  !  I  will !  Let  the  result  be  what  it 
may,  you  shall  know  all,  and  learn  if  I  have  not  cause 
enough  for  misery.  Oh,  Alfred !  there  never,  never  was 
guilt  equal  to  mine  !  " 

"  That  remains  to  be  seen.  I  have  seen  more  of  guilt 
than  you  have,  I  fancy,  and  will  judge  presently.  Come, 
Augusta,  where  is  the  pride  and  courage  of  your  De  Vere 
blood  now  ?    Courage  I     I  promise  you  not  to  faint." 

He  seated  himself  beside  her,  and  took  both  her  hands 
in  his,  and  looked  brightly  in  her  face. 

"  Now,  Augusta." 

«0h,  Alfred  !  how  shall  I  tell  you?  How  shall  I  tell 
you  my  dark,  guilty  story.  Yes,  guilt !  Do  not  start — 
though  Heaven  knows  it  was  unintentionally  committed. 
Listen.     Perhaps  you  did  not  know  I  had  two  brothers." 


M 


A  SECRET  vSORROW. 


319 


"No,  T  did  not  know.     I  ntivcr  lit'urd  of  Imt  oiio." 

"  P(>oi'  Auljicy!  1k!  is  at  rest.  Wi'll,  I  liad  anolhcr 
brother  younger  than  Auhn^y,  and  some  four  or  five  years 
older  than  nie,  of  whom  I  remendn'r  nothing  as  a  child, 
for  I  was  ])Uttliree  months  ohi  when  he  was  lost." 

"  Lost ! " 

"Yes.  Oh,  Alfred,  you  do  not  know  how  dark  a  doom 
lias  ever  rested  on  all  of  our  ill-fated  family,  and  on  mo 
and  him  darkest  of  all." 

"  lUit  how  was  he  lost,  Augusta?     Did  he  die?" 

"  No  ;  he  was  stolen.  There  were  marauding  parties 
of  hostile  Indians  about  at  the  time,  and  it  was  no  new 
thing  for  them  to  take  children  and  women  prisoners, 
who  were  sometimes  killed,  sometimes  ransomed,  and 
sometimes  kept  by  the  trilu!." 

"And  which  was  your  brother's  fate?" 

"Neither.  They  sti'ove  in  vain  to  gain  any  intelligence 
of  him  ;  they  tinally  gave  him  up  in  despair  ;they  thought 
he  was  dead.     Would  to  God  he  had  been !  " 

"Augusta  I"  cried  Disbrowe,  shocked. 

She  l(K)ked  up  with  a  hard,  dark,  despairing  face. 

"  Is  there  no  fate  worse  than  death  ?  The  dead  are  at 
rest ;  but  there  is  a  living  death  (jf  guilt,  and  anguish, 
and  remorse,  that  never  knows  lest.  The  latter  was 
reserved  for  his  fate  and  mine." 

"  (to  on,  Augusta." 

"  You  know,  very  likely,  that  these  Indians  were  in 
league  with  the  Tories,  and  that  the  whites  were  very 
often  worse  than  the  red-men.  Among  those  demons  in 
human  form  was  the  brother  of  (Jrizzle  Ilowlet.  Till, 
they  call  him — a  morose  and  bloodthirsty  human  tiger, 
who  hated  papa  for  some  real  or  fancied  wrong  he  had. 
once  done  him.  He  was  at  the  Indian  village  when  my 
little  l)rother,  AVilton,  was  brought  there  with  other  pris- 
oners, and  knew  him  instantly,  llow  he  exulted  wiien  he 
saw  him  !  It  was  a  prospect  of  revenge  beyond  price  to 
liim.  Most  of  the  other  prisoners  were  slaughtered  in 
cold  blood ;  but  he  ordered  them  not  to  hurt  a  hair  of 
Wilton's  head ;  and,  having  some  authority  among  them, 
he  was  obeyed.  W^ilton  was  adopted  by  the  chief  of  the 
tribe,  and  brought  up  in  all  respects  as  if  he  had  been  his 


)    I 


n 


'  i\ 


320 


THE  DARK  SECRET: 


son ;  taught  to  hunt,  and  shoot,  and  live  the  life  of  an 
Indian  boy,  and  treated  as  the  son  of  an  Indian  chief. 
Old  TilPs  object  was  to  keep  him  there  until  he  had 
grown  up,  and  then  present  the  half-savage  young  Indian 
to  my  father  as  his  long-lost  son." 

"Well?" 

"  He  did  not  succeed — would  to  God  he  had !  even  that 
would  have  been  better  than  the  fate  that  awaited  him. 
Wilton,  child  as  he  was,  when  abducted,  had  a  vague 
remembrance  still  of  the  far  different  life  he  had  left ; 
and  though  he  lived  the  life  of  an  Indian,  he  had  not  an 
Indian  lieart.  The  desire  of  escape  was  with  him  night 
and  day,  but  he  was  carefully  watched  and  guarded,  and 
for  a  long  time  no  opportunity  occurred.  In  fact,  he  was 
ten  years  old  before  he  was  able  to  make  his  escape  from 
the  tribe." 

"  He  did  escape,  then  ?  " 

"  Yes — after  perils  and  hardships  innumerable,  he 
reached  the  nearest  to\vn,  ignorant  of  his  name,  birth- 
place, and  family  ;  for  the  Indians  had  given  him  a  new 
name,  and  a  child  of  five  soon  forgets.  His  story  made 
him  friends,  though,  and  one  of  them  obtained  him  a  sit- 
uation as  cabin-boy  on  board  a  man-of-war." 

"  Of  course,  none  of  your  family  knew  all  this  at  the 
time  ?  " 

"  No,  they  knew  nothing  of  him — nor  does  my  father 
till  this  day ;  all  this  I  have  learned  of  late.  Well,  he 
grew  up  a  sailor  ;  rose  to  the  rank  of  lieutenant  in  one  of 
the  United  States  ships-of-war,  under  the  name  of  his 
first  friend,  which  he  had  adopted — that  of  Scott." 

"  Well  ?  "  said  Disbrowe,  as  she  made  a  long  pause. 

"  Oh !  how  shall  I  go  on  with  the  rest — how  shall  I 
speak  of  myself  and  my  deed  of  madness.  Oh,  Alfred !  I 
cannot  tell  you  !  "  she  wildly  cried. 

"Go  on,  Augusta,  and  fear  not !  I  think  I  suspect 
wliat  is  to  come." 

"  You  do  ?  what  do  you  suspect  ?  " 

"  That  you  somehow  met  this  unknown  brother  of 
yours,  and- 


« 


"  Well  ?  "  she  whispered,  hoarsely. 
"  And  fell  in  love  with  him  I  " 


A  SECRET  SORROW. 


321 


I 
I 


«  Oh !  worse — worse — worse  I  A  thousand- fold  worse  I 
Oh,  cousin  Alfred,  I — I — " 

"  Augusta  I " 

«  Oh,  Alfred  I  I  married  him  /  " 

With  a  wild,  shivering  cry,  she  sunk  do\vn,  and  lay 
white  and  shuddering,  with  her  face  in  her  hands.  Dis- 
browe  started,  and  an  expression  of  horror  came  for  a  mo- 
ment to  his  face ;  the  next,  he  raised  her  up,  and  said, 
gently  and  tenderly : 

"  Augusta,  tell  me  how  it  was.  Augusta,  dearest,  do 
not  tremble  so  dreadfully.     Look  up,  and  tell  me  all." 

She  took  her  white  hands  from  her  pallid  tortured 
face,  and  spoke  in  a  voice  scarce  above  a  whisper. 

"  I  was  visiting  a  friend,  and  went  with  her  to  a  ball 
on  board  his  ship  ;  I  met  him  there — we  loved  each  other, 
and — Oh,  my  God  !  you  know  the  rest !  " 

"  You  married  him  secretly  ?  " 

"  Yes,  I  knew  my  father  never  would  consent,  on  ac- 
count of  his  poverty  and  low  birth,  and  most  of  all,  for 
his  being  a  rebel  against  the  king.  He  loved  me  passion- 
ately, and  I — I — was  mad,  delirious,  and  consented  to  a 
private  marrage.  Oh,  Alfred — Alfred !  was  there  ever 
guilt  like  to  mine  ?  " 

"^ly  dear  Augusta — my  poor  Augusta,  you  are  not 
guilty — you  did  not  know.     Go  on,  let  me  hear  all." 

"  I  thought  our  marriage  was  unknown  ;  but  it  was  not ; 
a  son  of  Grizzle  Howlet — oh !  why  was  all  belonging  to 
that  Avretched  woman  destined  to  be  our  evil  destiny 
through  life ! — was  in  the  church,  and  saw  us  and  heard 
our  names.  The  hour  of  our  marriage  we  parted,  he  to 
return  to  sea,  and  I  to  go  to  Fontelle.  Two  months  after, 
you  came,  and  but  for  that  I  might  still  be  ignorant  of 
my  dreadful  crime." 

"  But  for  me  I "  exclaimed  Disbrowe,  in  amaze,  "  why, 
Augusta  ?  " 

"  Even  so.  You  remember  your  narrow  escape  from 
being  murdered,  and  how  to  save  herself,  it  brought  Griz- 
zle next  day  to  the  hall  ?" 


"  Yes — yes 


» » 


"  To  save  herself,  she  told  me  what  I  have  just  told 
you,  that  I  had  wedded  my  own  brother ;  and  she  threat- 


1 1 


Hf 


i :  if 


322 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


ill! 


ened  to  make  my  guilt  public,  if  I  did  not  save  her  from 
the  effects  of  my  father's  anger.  The  shock  almost 
killed  me.  You  have  not  forgotten  that  dreadful  morn- 
ing, nor  how  I  pleaded  for  Grizzle  on  my  recovery,  and 
obtained  her  freedom.  Oh,  Alfred,  T  would  sooner  have 
been  burned  at  the  stake  than  that  my  father  should 
ever  know." 

"  But,  my  dear  Augusta,  you  are  insane  to  believe  a 
tale  trumped  up  for  the  occasion  by  such  a  woman  as 
this  villainous  old  Grizzle  Howlet.  It  is  in  all  probabil- 
ity false,  every  word  of  it." 

"  No — no  !  there  is  no  such  hope  for  me  ;  her  brother 
and  the  chief  of  the  tribe  still  live  to  prove  its  truth  ;  and 
to  make  assurance  doubly  sure,  she  told  me  to  ask  him- 
self, and  see  if  her  story  was  not  true." 

"  And  did  you  ?  " 

"Yes,  he  came  a  short  time  after  your  arrival,  and 
wrote  to  appoint  a  meeting  one  night,  and  that  night  I 
met  him  for  the  last  time." 

Her  voice  choked,  and  she  stopped.  Disbrowe  thought 
of  the  dark,  muffled  figure  he  had  seen  with  her  that  night 
at  the  north  wing. 

"  I  told  him  all ;  and,  oh,  Alfred,  word  for  word  it  was 
true.  He  had  been  stolen  in  his  infancy ;  he  did  re- 
member old  Till  perfectly,  and  he  had  escaped  just  as 
Grizzle  told  me.  Oh  !  that  last  dreadful  parting  I  God 
grant  I  might  ever  forget  it  1 " 

"  And  this,  then,  is  your  secret,  Augusta  ?  " 

"  This  is  my  secret — my  dark,  terrible  secret — that  is 
gnawing  away  my  very  heart — that  in  a  few  brief  months 
will  bring  me  to  my  grave.  May  God  forgive  us  both, 
for  we  little  thought  of  this !  " 

"  And  he — where  is  he,  Augusta  ?  " 

"A  wanderer  over  the  wide  world.  We  will  never 
meet  again." 

She  sunk  down  once  more  on  her  seat,  collapsed,  pros- 
trate, despairing.  A  bright  gleam  of  moonlight  broke 
tlirough  the  quivering  laurel  leaves,  and  fell  like  the  wing 
of  some  pitying  angel  on  that  despair-bowed  young  head. 


RESURGAM. 


333 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 


RESURGAM. 


IS 

Iths 
)th, 


Iver 


** With  wild  surprise, 

As  if  to  marble  struck,  devoid  of  sense, 
A  single  moment  motionless  he  stood." 

—Thomson. 

"  Lord  Austrey,  my  lord." 

It  was  Mr.  Norton — that  respectable  gentleman's  gentle- 
man— who  spoke.  Disbrowe,  after  his  usual  easy  fashion, 
was  lounging  in  his  own  room,  chatting  with  Orrie,  but 
on  hearing  his  friend's  name  announced,  he  sprung  to  hia 
feet  with  a  suddenness  quite  startling. 

"Lord  Austrey — when?  how?  where?" 

"  Whither — why — wherefore  I  "  exclaimed  the  well- 
known  voice  of  Lord  Austrey,  himself,  as  he  unceremo- 
niously entered.  "  I  took  the  liberty  of  entering  sans 
ceremonie  you  see.     Earnecliffe,  mon  ami,  how  goes  it  ?  " 

"  Austrey,  my  dear  old  fellow !  "  exclaimed  Disbrowe, 
"  welcome  back  !     When  did  you  come  ?  " 

"  Two  or  three  days  ago.  Hallo !  a  young  lady  in  the 
case  !     Why,  Alf,  what  have  you  been  about  since  I  left  ?  " 

"  Oh  !  this  is  a  little  Yankee  friend  of  mine.  Oriole  De 
Vere — oh  !  she's  gone !  Well,  Austrey,  hov/  has  the  world 
been  using  you  lately  ?  " 

"  Enchantingly — I'm  a  made  man,  Earnecliffe,  and  the 
hapi)iest  fellow  in  England  I  " 

"  Ah,  indeed  I  when  am  I  to  offer  my  congratulations  ?  " 

"  As  soon  as  you  like — the  honeymoon's  over." 

"  What !  "  cried  Disbrowe,  starting  to  his  feet,  "  you 
don't  mean  to  say — " 

"  My  dear  fellow,  don't  get  excited  !  T  do  say  it — noth- 
ing shorter.  Lady  Austrey  awaits  your  congratulations 
in  London." 

«  And  you  are  really  married  ?  " 

"Just  so !  Miss  Norma,  Macdonald  no  longer  exists,  and 
from  her  grave  has  risen  Lady  George  Austrey — the  hnnd- 
soinfst  peeress  in  England  I     Sharp  wor^:,  my  boy,  eh  V" 

''''  PuisseZ'Vous  etre   heureuz !  ^''  said   Disbrowe,   as    he 


'  I 


r: 


.  M 


I.  H 


m 


m 


324 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


laughingly  shook  his  friend  by  the  hand.  "  I  wish  you 
joy  with  all  my  heart.     Where  were  you  married  ?  " 

"  At  Rome,  at  the  embassador's,  two  months  ago." 

"  And  you  have  come  home  for  good  and  all,  now  ?  " 

"  Yes,  if  you  call  Castle  Hill,  Inverness,  home.  We  are 
going  there  as  soon  as  Lelia  leaves  England." 

"  Lelia — who  is  she  ?  " 

Lord  George  fairly  jumped  from  his  seat. 

«  Why,  you  old  hermit — you  anchorite — you  St.  John 
of  the  Desert — you  never  mean  to  say  you  don't  know 
who  Lelia  is !  " 

"  If  you  mean  the  French  tragedy  queen  of  that  name." 

"  French  I  She's  no  more  French  than  I  am ;  she's 
English,  man  alive !  Oh,  ye  gods !  it  takes  away  my 
breath  only  to  think  of  her.  Lelia — the  queen — the  en- 
chantress— the  siren — the  Melpomene — the  conqueress! 
Whew !  Earnecliffe,  I  want  a  glass  of  ice- water  to  cool  me 
down  after  speaking  of  her — the  little  devouring  flame  of 
fire ! " 

"Really,"  said  Disbrowe,  dryly,  "extraordinary  trans- 
IDorts  these  for  a  married  man.  I  have  heard — or,  rather, 
read — of  this  Mademoiselle  Lelia  ;  for  the  papers  are  full 
of  her.    Is  she,  then,  so  pretty  ?  " 

"  Pretty  ?  Earnecliffe,  if  I  had  a  loaded  pistol  here, 
upon  my  soul  I  would  have  it  in  me  to  blow  your  brains 
out  for  applyirg  that  word  to  her.  Pretty — faugh !  She's 
glorious — maddening — divine !  That's  what  she  is !  You 
might  as  well  say  a  tornado — a  sheet  of  lightning — a 
storm  at  sea — was  pretty,  as  Lelia." 

"  Indeed !  Rather  a  desperate  little  article  she  must 
be.  So  she  has  come  to  England.  I  thought  she  had  been 
fifty  times  offered  a  small  fortune,  and  refused." 

"  So  she  did.     She  came  with  us." 

"With  you?"  said  Disbrowe,  with  a  stare. 

"  Yes,  with  us  !  She  made  one  of  our  party.  She  and 
Norma  are  like  sisters." 

The  strangest  smile  went  wandering  round  Disbrowe's 
lips,  and  shone  bright  in  his  eyes,  when  he  fixed  them  on 
the  face  of  his  friend. 

"  Lelia,  the  actress,  and  Lady  Austrey  !  " 

"  Yes,  Lelia,  the  actress,"  said  Lord  George,  defiantly. 


RESURGAM. 


325 


**  Your  cold  English  pride  will  have  no  cause  to  strain 
itself  trying  to  stoop  to  her.  She  is  the  equal  of  any 
woman,  peeress  or  not,  in  all  broad  England.  I  have  seen 
her  dancing  with  archdukes  and  royal  highnesses  without 
number;  she  has  been  an  honored  guest  in  the  home 
of  a  duchess.  Her  life  is  above  reproach,  as  she  likely  is 
above  want.  It  is  not  necessity  makes  her  play — she  has 
already  acquired  for  herself  a  fortune  ;  but  she  has  a  pas- 
sion for  her  art.  Oh,  Earnecliffe  !  what  a  dazzling  crea- 
ture she  is  !  She  has  flashed  like  a  meteor  through  Eu- 
rope, blinJJng,  dazzling,  electrifying  wherover  she  went. 
Nobody  knows  who  or  what  she  is,  except — you  will 
wonder  when  I  tell  you — Norma  !  ' 

"  Norma  !  how  came  she  to  know  ?  " 

"  Well,  my  dear  fellow,  that  is  the  strangest  part  of  the 
business.  It  was  at  Florence  we  saw  her  first — as 
Cleopatra,  I  think,  and  a  glorious  queen  she  made,  for  whom 
a  thousand  heroes  might  die.  Every  eye  was,  of  course, 
bent  upon  her  the  moment  she  appeared:  and  Norma 
half  rose,  and  then  fell  back  in  her  seat.  I  looked  at  her, 
and  upon  my  honor,  Earnecliffe,  I  never  was  so  startled 
in  my  life;  her  face  was  perfectly  colorless,  her  eyes 
darkening  and  dilating,  and  her  lips  white  and  trembling. 
I  spoke  to  her,  but  she  only  grasped  my  arm  and  motioned 
for  me  to  keep  still,  without  ever  removing  her  eyes  from 
the  stage.  I  confess  I  was  puzzled,  rather ;  but  I  thought 
it  best  to  bide  my  time,  and  let  her  ladyship  have  her 
own  way ;  and  faith,  she  had  it,  too — for,  before  Cleopatra 
had  uttered  half  a  dozen  words,  she  gave  a  low  cry,  and 
fell  back  fainting — stiff,  sir,  in  a  dead  swoon  !  " 

"  Hum-m-m  !     Very  strange,  indeed  I    What  then  ?  " 

«  Why,  we  brought  her  home,  ot  course ;  but  as  soon  as 
she  recovered,  she  insisted  on  going  back — no  persuasion 
could  induce  her  to  remain ;  and  she  peremptorily  ordered 
me  to  give  a  small  note  she  wrote  to  the  manager  of  the 
theater  to  be  delivered  to  Madame  Lelia.  Well,  sir,  he 
did  it ;  and  the  next  thing  was  an  earnest  request  from 
Lelia  herself,  that  Norma  would  wait  in  her  private  dress- 
ing-room until  after  the  play." 

"And  did  she?" 

"  Yes ;  and  a  precious  long  interview  they  had  of  it. 


■i  . 


■■y 


,1..  I 


■1 


4 


326 


rm  DARK  SECRET. 


!  i 


Like  the  '  five  mimites '  it  takes  a  lady  to  put  on  her  bon- 
net, it  was  over  two  hours  before  she  made  her  appear- 
ance ;  and  then  in  such  a  state  of  delight ;  by  George !  if 
my  Jewish  money-lender  turned  Christian  and  burned  his 
books,  I  couldn't  get  up  to  such  a  pitch  of  rapture." 

"  Well,  what  was  the  result?" 

"  Why,  that  Lelia  became  our  traveling  companion,  or 
we  hers — I  don't  know  which — from  that  day  until  we 
reached  Paris.     And  there,  to  the  great  surprise  of  every 

one,  she  accepted  an  offer  from  Mr.  M ,  of Theater, 

to  make  her  debut  in  London,  and  astonish  the  natives,  as 
I  flatter  myself  she  will  do,  slightly." 

"  And  Avas  our  aristocratic  friend.  Miss  Emily  Tremain, 
reconciled  to  the  idea  of  traveling  en  famille  with  an 
actress?" 

"  Reconciled  ?  I  should  think  so ;  and  very  proud  and 
important  she  felt  about  it — for  where  archduchesses 
smile,  it  is  not  for  insular  aristocracy  to  sneer.  And  then 
Lelia  fascinates  every  one  she  meets.  She  is  irresistible, 
my  boy  ;  so  take  care  of  your  heart." 

"It  stands  in  no  danger.  I  have  a  counter-charm, 
strong  enough  to  protect  me  even  against  the  all-power- 
ful fascinations  of  this  tragic  muse.  But  this  mystery 
between  her  and  Norma — what  does  it  mean  ?  " 

"  That  is  just  what  I  wish  you  would  tell  me  ;  for  be 
hanged  if  I  have  the  least  idea.  Norma,  only  laughs  and 
says :  *  Wait,  the  denouement  is  at  hand.' " 

"  Humph  I  Rather  singular !  Is  it  another  act  of  high 
treason  to  ask  what  this  meteor  looks  lilie  ?  " 

"  Well,  Norma  made  me  promise  to  tell  you  nothing 
until  you  would  see  for  yourself." 

«  Really—" 

"Oh,  well,  after  all,  what  difference  does  it  make, 
Earnecliffe  ?  It  is  only  a  woman's  whim,  and  your  curios- 
ity will  soon  be  gratified,  for  Lelia  plays  to-night,  and, 
of  course,  you  will  be  there  to  worship  like  the  rest  of 
London." 

"Can't,  my  dear  fellow;  couldn't  think  of  such  a 
thing." 

"  What !  you're  not  in  earnest  ? "  cried  Lord  Austrey, 
aghast. 


RESURGAM. 


327 


"  Never  was  T  more  so  as  I  remember." 

"  Why,  you're  crazy — downright  mad,  you  know. 
What's  the  reason  ?  " 

"  Well,  I  have  some  friends  staying  here  with  me,  and 
I  can't  leave  them." 

"  Bring  them  with  yon." 

«  Humph  !  Well,  of  course,  if  they  would  like  to  go, 
that  might  do  ;  if  not — " 

"  If  not,  you  go  alone.  I  have  said  it.  Norma  com- 
manded me,  under  pain  of  her  eternal  displeasure,  and 
half  a  score  of  the  severest  sort  of  curtain-lectures,  to 
bring  you  along ;  so,  will  ye,  nill  ye,  come  you  must. 
Not  a  word.  I  won't  take  any  excuses ;  so  don't  go  to 
the  trouble  of  making  them." 

"  Oh,  but  positively,  you  know — " 

"  Oh,  but  positively  I  know  I  won't !  Who  are  those 
friends  of  yours  ?  " 

"  My  uncle,  Mr.  De  Vere ;  my  cousin,  Miss  De  Vere ; 
and  that  little  girl  you  saw,  from  America." 

"  Well,  bring  them  along,  of  course.  They  want  to  see 
Lelia,  too — supposing  they  are  not  barbarians,  like  you. 
Come,  you  will  just  have  time  to  dress  and  be  at  Mrs. 
Tremain's  in  time  for  dinner." 

"  Well,  there  is  no  resisting  you,  I  see.  Make  yourself 
at  home,  while  I  go  and  consult  my  respected  uiicle  on 
the  subject." 

«  All  right !  only  hurry  up — there  is  no  time  to  spare. 
I  wouldn't  miss  seeing  TiClia  play  *  Jeanne  D'Arc  '  to-night 
for  *  The  Crown  Diamonds ! '  Tell  the  old  gentleman, 
with  my  respects,  that  I  won't  take  *  No '  for  an  answer, 
at  any  price." 

Disbr^vve  laughed,  and  sauntered  out,  and,  after  a  brief 
period,  returned  with  his  uncle,  to  whom  he  presented 
Lord  George,  with  due  decorum. 

"  You  have  met  with  better  success  than  you  deserve, 
my  Lord  Austi'cy,"  he  said  ;  "for  my  cousin  not  only  con- 
sents to  go,  but  is  dressing  even  now  ;  and  my  uncle  is  quite 
delighted  at  the  prospect  of  seeing  Lelia,  whose  fame  has 
reached  from  Dan  to  Beersheba,  yea,  even  unto  the  far 
and  facetious  regions  of  New  Jersey.  I  have  ordered  my 
« coach  and  six,'  and  nothing  remains  but  to  make  a  few 


I 


m.. 


328 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


pvltenitions  in  my  outer  man.     So,  for  a  few  moments,  au 
reiHiir  !  " 

Half  an  hour  after  saw  them  en  rouie^  dashing  along  be- 
lihul  two  splendid  grays.  The  whole  subject  of  conversa- 
tion was  "  Lelia,"  as  Lord  George  related  anecdote  after 
anecdote  of  her — her  kindness  to  the  poor — her  princely 
donations  to  churches  and  charitable  institutions — her 
fierce,  indomitable  pride,  that  made  her  legions  of  admirers 
keep  a  long  distance  off — her  haughty  independence,  that 
made  the  friendship  of  the  higli  and  titled  no  act  of  conde- 
scensio!!,  but  a  simi)le  courtesy  to  .an  equal — her  free,  frank, 
impulsi\  c  ways — her  splendid  acting  ;  in  short,  Lelia — 
Lelia  was  the  theme  until  the  carriage  drew  up  in  front 
of  the  Tremain  mansion. 

Lord  George  had  insisted,  on  their  all  coming  with  him, 
and  Disbrowe  had  half-reluctantly  complied.  There  was 
a  quick  flutter  of  his  pulses  at  the  thought  of  meeting 
Norma  again,  and  a  hot  glow  in  his  face  as  he  recalled 
their  last  parting.  How  would  she  meet  him?  How 
could  he  congratulate  her,  ond  before  so  many  too  ?  He 
half  regretted  he  had  come  cvt  all ;  but  it  was  too  late  to 
draw  back  or  regret  now.  Lord  George,  with  Augusta 
on  his  arm,  was  already  in  the  drawing-room,  where  Nor- 
ma, Mrs.  Tremain,  and  her  daughter  sat.  There  was  an 
introduction,  bows  and  smiles,  and  friendly  words  of  wel- 
come from  the  lady  of  the  house  and  her  daughter  ;  and 
Disbrowe  found  himself  holding  Norma's  hand  in  his,  and 
wishing  her  joy,  completely  himself — his  easy,  self-pos- 
sessed self-again. 

She  had  met  him  so  frankly  and  freely,  looked  in  his 
eyes  with  a  smile  so  bright  and  happy,  laid  her  hand  in 
his  so  promptly,  that  all  his  confusion  passed  away.  She 
started  violently  as  she  saw  who  accompanied  him,  and 
turned  upon  him  a  look  of  eager  inquiry. 

«  My  American  relatives,"  he  said,  in  a  low  tone,  sur- 
prised by  her  strange,  questioning  look. 

As  Lord  George  introduced  her  to  Mr.  De  Vere  and  his 
daughter,  she  bowed,  while  the  blood  mounted  to  her 
temple.  Very  strange,  thought  Disbrowe,  lost  in  wonder 
at  this  school-girl  blush  of  the  calm,  graceful,  high-bred 
lady. 


RESURGAM. 


329 


s 


s 
r 


Something  about  Lady  Anstrey  seemed  to  strike  Mr. 
Be  Vere ;  for  he  fixed  his  eyes  on  her  fa(*e  with  a  look 
at  once  so  puzzled,  so  searching,  and  so  full  of  a  strange 
recognition,  that  as  she  looked  up,  and  caught  his  in- 
voluntary stare,  she  crimsoned  again,  and  half-turned 
away. 

"  I  beg  your  pardon,"  said  IVIr.  De  Vere,  hastily,  be- 
coming conscious  of  his  rudeness ;  "  but,  really,  your 
ladyship's  face  struck  me  as  being  so  familiar.  Alfred, 
does  Lady  Austrey  remind  you  of  any  one  you  ever  saw 
before?" 

"  Yes,  sir.  I  ha^  jften  thought  she  strikingly  re- 
sembled that  Spanisii  boy,  Jacinto." 

"  The  very  one !  The  likeness  is  most  extraordinary, 
and  the  expression  is  the  same  exactly !  " 

Norma  tried  to  laugh ;  but  her  face  was  scarlet. 

"  Who  was  Jacinto,  may  I  ask  ?  "  said  Lord  George. 

"  A  young  Spaniard  I  met  in  New  Jersey.  He  might 
have  been  Lady  Austrey's  twin  brother — he  looked  so 
like  her." 

The  dinner-bell  here  fortunately  put  an  end  to  a  sub- 
ject evidently  anything  but  welcome  to  the  lady  in 
question,  and  it  was  not  again  renewed.  Disbrowe  sat  be- 
side her  at  dinner ;  but  all  his  efforts  could  not  make  her 
disclose  anything  that  would  throw  a  light  on  the  subject 
of  her  intimacy  with  Lelia,  the  actress. 

"  Is  she  handsome  ?  "  he  asked. 

"  Perilously  handsome." 

«  And  ladylike  ?  " 

"  Extremely  ladylike." 

"  Does  she  remain  long  in  England  ?  " 

"  That  depends — yes,  I  think  she  will.  Would  you 
like  her  to  do  so  ?  " 

"  Me !  Why,  what  possible  interest  can  it  have  for 
me!" 

She  looked  up  with  the  queerest  smile,  but  said 
nothing. 

"  Do  you  suppose  I  will  fall  in  love  with  her  ? "  he 
could  not  help  asking,  provoked  by  her  smile. 

"  Oui^  monsieur." 

"  1  had  rather  be  excused.     Stage-players  are  not  in  my 


\    ■ 


'tfl 


330 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


line.  I  could  not  love  an  actress,  if  she  were  a  very  god- 
dess for  beauty — a  Venus  herself." 

"  Prenez  garde^  monsieur  !  do  not  be  too  sure.  You  can 
do  as  you  please,  however.  Most  certainly  neither  I  nor 
Lelia   will  ask  you  to  do  so." 

"  Has  she  many  lovers  ?  " 

"  Legions." 

«  Wealthy  and  titled  ?  " 

"  Yes,  my  lord.     She  refused  the  hand  of  his  highness 

the  Duke  of  B ,  at  Villetre,  so  I  do  not  believe  she 

would  die  of  ecstasy  if  my  Lord  of  Earnecliffe  offered  her 
his  hand,  heart,  and  name  to-morrow  I  " 

Her  sarcastic  tone  silenced  Disbrowe  on  that  subject ; 
but  all  he  had  heard  piqued  his  curiosity  to  sec  this 
strange  actress — this  eighth  wonder  of  the  world  ;  and  it 
was  in  a  sort  of  fever  of  impatience  that  he  took  his  seat 
in  the  carriage  on  their  way  to  the  theater. 

It  was  crowded  when  they  entered — a  perfect  jam  from 
pit  to  ceiling.  It  was  a  brilliant  scene — fans  waving, 
jewels  flashing,  bright  eyes  sparkling,  smiles  wreathing 
rosy  lips,  and  a  dreamy  odor  of  perfume  all  around.  The 
highest,  the  noblest  of  the  proud  English  noblesse  were 
there,  and  all  waiting  breathlessly  for  the  curtain  to  go  up. 
A  bell  tinkled — the  music  ceased — a  dead  hush  followed 
— the  curtain  slowly  rose,  furled  to  the  ceiling,  and  there 
stood  the  brave  "  Maid  of  Orleans  " — the  heroic  daughter 
of  France,  its  banner  in  her  hand,  at  the  head  of  its  army 
— there  before  them  stood  "  Lelia,  the  Actress  I " 

A  wild  cheer  arose — an  English  cheer — swelling,  and 
rising,  and  thundering,  till  the  very  wall  shook  a  regal  wel- 
come truly  to  the  tragic  queen.  She  advanced  a  step, 
bowed,  and  smiled  with  a  queenly  grace,  and  waving  her 
hand  for  silence,  uttered  a  few  brief,  graceful  words  of 
thanks. 

Another  cheer  answered  her ;  and  then  the  vast  crowd 
sunk  back  in  silence  to  listen. 

All  but  the  inmates  of  one  box !  Lord  Earnecliffe  was 
on  his  feet,  and  so  was  Mr.  De  Vere,  both  deadly  pale. 
Were  they  dreaming?  Were  they  mad?  Jacquetta 
stood  before  them  ! — dead  no  longer,  but  living,  smiling, 
radiant — the  same  Jacquetta  they  loved  so  well.    Neither 


THE  ACTRESS  AND  THE  EARI,. 


331 


could  speak ;  they  stood  watching  her  spellhound,  until 
her  voice  tlrst  broke  the  silence.  That  voice !  There 
never  was  but  one  sucii  voice  in  the  world  I 

And  from  the  lips  of  Ijoth,  at  the  same  moment,  broke 
a  wild  cry  of  "  Jacquetta  !  " 


CHAPTER  XXV^m. 

THE  ACTRKSS  AND  THE  EAUL. 

'•  Do  not  spurn  me  in  my  prayer, 
For  tliis  wand'ring  ever  longer,  evermore, 

Hath  overworn  me  ; 
And  I  know  not  on  what  sliore 
I  may  rest  from  my  despair." 

E.  H.  Browning 

That  cry  drew  every  eye  to  their  box,  and  an  angry 
murmur  of  "  Shame !  "  ran  through  the  house  at  the  in- 
terruption. But  heedless  of  all — of  everything  save  the 
actress  before  them,  Mr.  De  Vere  and  Lord  Earneclift'e 
stood  still,  gazing  upon  her  with  eyes  wild  with  surprise, 
not  unmixed  with  a  sort  of  horror  at  this  apparition  from 
the  dead.  Augusta,  too,  had  seen  her,  and  sunk  back  with 
a  low  cry,  while  Orrie  leaned  over  the  box  with  the  loud 
exclamation  ; 

"Oh,  grandpa  I  it's  Miss  Jack  !  it's  Miss  Jack  I  " 

For  one  moment,  the  clear,  bright,  penetrating  eyes  of 
Leila,  the  actress,  were  raised — those  dark,  clear  eyes  Dis- 
browe  knew  so  well ;  but  there  was  no  recognition  in  their 
depths,  and,  dropping  them  again,  she  went  on  with  her 
role. 

All  eyes  were  s  ill  bent  on  their  box  in  surprise  and 
curiosity,  to  the  great  annoyance  of  Mrs.  Tremain  and  her 
daughter,  who  were  lost  in  wonder  at  this  singular  scene. 
Lord  George,  too,  stared  with  all  his  eyes,  evidently  debat- 
ing within  himself  whether  he  had  not  secured  a  party  of 
lunatics  that  day  from  Disbrowe  Park.  Norma  was  the 
only  one  of  the  party  who  seemed  to  understand  it ;  and 
there  was  a  malicious  smile  sparkling  in  her  eyes  and 
hovering  around  her  lips,  only  partially  concealed  by  the 
fan  she  held  before  her  face. 


:  { 


!l^ 


! 


4 


'tm 


I 


332 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


"  I  say,  Eiirnecliffe,  old  fellow,  this  won't  do,  you  know," 
said  Lord  (Tt'orge,  in  a  low  voice  touching  his  arm  ;  "  every- 
body's looking  at  you.     Sit  down,  won't  you?" 

"  By  Heaven  !  it  is  her  herself,"  cried  Disbrowe,  passion- 
ately.    "  Living  or  dead,  it  is  Jac(iuetta  !  " 

"  My  lord,  sit  down,  I  beseech  you  I  3Ir.  De  Vere,  my 
dear  8ir,/>/v«y  sit  down,"  entreated  Mrs.  Tremain. 

Mr.  De  Vere  sunk  back  with  a  groan. 

"  Oh,  my  God !  can  the  grave  give  up  its  dead  ?  " 

"Eh?  What?"  cried  Lord  George.  "What  is  he 
talking  about  ?  The  old  gent's  mad.  Norma ;  mad  as  a 
march  hare." 

"  You  may  find  there  is  method  in  his  madness.  Lord 
Earrecliffe,  do  be  seated ;  you  are  disturbing   the  audi- 


» 


ence. 

Disbrowe  passed  his  hands  across  his  eyes,  as  if  to  dis- 
pel a  mist ;  and  then  seizing  his  hat,  turned  to  go. 

"  My  lord,  where  are  you  going  ?  "  said  Lord  George, 
startled  by  his  wild  looks. 

"  To  Jacquetta  I  Living  or  dead,  she  is  mine,  and  I 
claim  herl     Let  me  go." 

He  broke  from  him,  mingled  with  the  crowd,  and  dis- 
appeared. The  face  of  sublime  bewilderment  and  dismay 
which  Lord  George  turned  to  his  wife,  at  any  other  time 
would  have  thrown  her  into  convulsions  of  laughter ;  but 
now  some  nervous  feeling  of  anxiety  for  Disbrowe  re- 
strained all  inclination  for  mirth. 

"You  had  better  follow  him,  George.  Bo  go  after 
him,"  she  cried,  anxiously. 

"  Follow  him !  Why,  where  the  dev — I  beg  your  par- 
don, Lady  Austrey ;  but  upon  my  soul,  this  is  the  most 
extraordinary  thing  I  ever  heard  of !  Now,  what  do  you 
suppose  has  got  into  that  good  youth,  and  this  nice  old 
American  here,  to  set  them  flaring  up  in  this  fashion  at 
sight  of  Lelia  ?    Where  is  he  gone  ?  " 

"  To  the  green-room.  Oh,  George  I  do  go  after  him  ; 
you  have  the  entree — have  you  not  ?  " 

"  Yes ;  but  what  am  I  to  do  when  I  get  there  ?  " 

"  Oh,  anything — nothing — I  don't  know.  I  wish  you 
would  go,  anyway.    Do  go,  George." 

*'  Most  decidedly  I'll  go,  my  love.    I  hope  I  know  my 


THE  ACTRESS  AND  THE  EARL. 


333 


duty  as  a  married  man  too  well  to  refuse  you  anything. 
And  as  this  overwhehning  mystery  is  not  to  he  explained, 
I  presume  I  nmst  trust  to  my  own  native  genius  and  in- 
genuity for  finding  it  out.     An  rei3ou\     V\\\  off." 

And  openuig  the  door,  lie  disappeared  among  the  crowd, 
leaving  Mrs.  Tremain  and  her  daughter  comple*;ely  at 
their  wits'  end. 

Passing  hastily  through  the  crowd,  Lord  (Jooige  wended 
his  way  to  the  green-room  by  a  side-door ;  and,  on  enter- 
ing, saw  his  friend  in  violent  altercation  with  the  man- 
ager. Lord  Earnecliffe  was  passionately  excited,  his  face 
deadly  pale,  his  eyes  wild  and  fierce,  and  his  whole  app(;ar- 
ance  so  completely  changed  from  the  languid,  indolent  be- 
ing he  had  seemed  scarce  an  hour  before,  that  it  is  no 
wonder  Lord  George  stood  for  a  moment  undecided 
whether  it  was  his  friend  or  somebody  else. 

"  I  say,  Karnecliffe,  what  the  foul  fiend  are  you  raising 
such  a  ro^^  for  ?    ]Mr.  JNfaxwell,  what's  up  V  " 

"  Your  friend,  my  lord,  insists  on  seeing  Lclia  ;  and  it  is 
contrary  to  her  express  command  to  admit  any  one.  I 
am  really  very  sorry ;  but  I  assure  you,  it  is  (luite  im- 
possible," said  the  manager,  bowing  deprecatingly. 

With  a  fierce  exclamation  of  angry  impatience,  Dis- 
browe  turned  to  Lord  Austrey. 

"  I  tell  you,  sir,  I  will  see  her,  in  si)ite  of  all  the  man- 
agers from  here  to  the  Antipodes.  I  must  see  her,  or  I 
shall  go  mad ! " 

"  Faith,  I  think  you  are  that  already  !  What,  in  the 
name  of  all  that's  absurd,  has  come  to  you,  Earnecliffe  ? 
What  do  you  want  to  see  Lelia  for  ?  " 

"  I  know  no  Lelia  I  I  came  to  see  Jacquetta  De  Vere  ; 
and  see  her  I  will,  in  spite  of  earth  and  Hades  !  " 

"  Who  the  demon  is  she  ?  Oh,  the  man  is  mad — that's 
flat !  Maxwell,  you  know  I  am  a  personal  friend  of  LeMa's, 
and  privileged  to  see  her  at  any  time.  Will  you  tell  her 
I  wish  to  see  her  now  ?  "  . 

"  Certainly,  my  lord,  I  have  no  doubt  she  will  see  yoz^," 
said  the  manager,  hasjbening  off. 

"  Now,  Earnecliffe,  what  is  the  matter  ?  W  hat  in  the 
world  has  come  over  you  all  of  a  sudden  ?  " 

"  I  cannot  tell  you — I  cannot  tell  whether  I  am  sane 


f  ■ 
■  'i 

If 


i  i\ 


{■'' 


334 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


or  mad.  Do  not  ask  me,  for  I  cannot  talk  to  you  now. 
A  desperate  gesture,  as  he  strode  up  and  down,  spoke 
more  than  words. 

I<ord  George  looked  at  him,  and  indulged  in  a  long, 
wailing  whistle,  that  plainly  spoke  his  conviction  that  his 
unhappy  young  friend's  brain  (if  he  ever  possessed  such 
a  thing,)  was  completely  turned.  At  the  same  moment 
the  manager  appeared. 

"  My  lord,"  he  said,  turning  to  Lord  George,  "  Lelia  has 
just  left  the  stage  ;  and  as  she  does  not  appear  in  the  next 
scene,  she  will  see  your  lordship  now.  Will  you  please 
to  step  this  way  ?  " 

Disbrowe  started  up  to  accompany  him,  but  Lord 
George  interposed. 

"Not  now,  i^y  dear  fellow!  Wait  until  I  retvn; 
and  if  my  eloquence  has  any  effect  on  Lelia,  she  will  see 
you." 

He  followed  the  manager  as  he  spoke ;  and  Disbrowe 
was  left  pacing  up  and  down,  with  a  burning  heart  and  a 
whirling  brain,  still  striving  to  persuade  himself  this  was 
all  the  wild  delirium  of  a  dream.  Jacquetta  alive  and 
well  1     Oh,  he  must  certainly  be  mad ! 

The  return  of  Lord  Austrey  aroused  him,  and  he  looked 
at  him  with  eyes  full  of  devouring  impatience. 

"  Well  ?  " 

"  Well,  I  have  seen  her,  and  she  will  see  you  after  the 
play  ;  so  rein  in  tliat  mad  impatience  of  yours  until  then. 
How  you  are  going  to  apologize  f  "^r  intruding  upon  her,  I 
don't  know.  She  smiled  when  I  told  her  the  state  of 
mind  her  appearance  had  thro^^  n  you  into." 

Disbrowe  still  strode  up  and  down,  like  one  possessed. 
Lord  George  threw  himself  into  a  chair  and  looked  at 
him. 

"  My  dear  fellow,  what  a  treasure  you  must  be  to  your 
bootmaker,  if  you  are  in  the  habit  of  taking  such  severe 
turns  as  tbis !  'Pon  my  honor  I  I  would  give  all  the 
spnre  change  T  have  about  me,  to  know  what  has  come 
to  you  so  suddenly.  Won't  you  go  back  to  the  theater 
and  see  the  play  played  out  ?  " 

"  Xo — it  would  drive  me  mad  to  look  at  her  there 
again  ! "  exclaimed  Disbrowe,  vehemently. 


THE  ACTRESS  AND  THE  EARI,. 


335 


Lord  George  stared  and  indulged  himself  in  a  low, 
hysterical  whistle. 

An  hour  and  a  half  dragged  on  their  endless  length  be- 
fore the  drama  was  ended.  Disbrowe  had  wrought  him- 
self up  to  a  perfect  fever  of  impatience  when  the  manager 
approached  them  and  announced  the  coming  of  Lelia. 

And  even  as  he  spoke,  she  stood  beside  them,  looking 
at  Disbrowe  with  her  large,  calm  eyes.  Those  eyes! 
what  a  spell  they  cast  over  him,  calming  down  his  mad 
fever  of  impatience  like  ice  cast  on  fire  1  Those  clear, 
bright,  penetrating  eyes,  with  their  unfathomable  depth 
of  mockery,  how  well  he  knew  them  I  Those  short, 
bright,  clustering  curls — that  round,  white,  boyish  brow 
— those  sweet,  beautiful  lips,  that  small,  graceful  form, 
how  well — how  well — he  knew  them  all !  It  seemed  but 
yesterday  since  he  had  bidden  her  farewell  in  the  parlor 
of  Fontelle  Hall — forever,  as  he  thought ;  and  now  they 
stood  face  to  face  again  ! 

"  Jacquetta  !  Jacquetta  !  "  he  passionately  cried,  "  have 
we  met  again  ?  " 

She  glanced  at  him  with  her  calm  eyes,  and  drew  back 
in  haughty  surprise. 

"  My  lord,  what  does  this  mean  ?  "  she  said,  turnmg  no 
Lord  Austrey. 

"  Are  you  mad,  Earnecliffe  ?  What  the  foul  fiend  do 
you  mean  with  your  *  Jacquetta'  ?  "  said  Lord  Austrey,  in 
a  fierce  whisper.  Then  aloud  :  "  Madam,  will  you  excuse 
my  friend  ?  Unless  he  has  suddenly  gone  crazy,  I  do  not 
know  how  to  account  for  this.  Allow  me  to  present  him : 
Lord  Earnecliffe,  Madame  Lelia." 

She  bowed ;  and  the  faintest,  strangest  smile  went 
wandering  around  her  lips.  That  smile !  had  he  not  seen 
it  a  thousand  times  before  ?  He  passed  his  hand  across 
his  brow,  like  one  bewildered. 

"  Am  I  sane  or  mad  ?  Can  the  dead  have  risen  again  ? 
Madam,  for  heaven's  sake !  answer  me,  before  I  go  Avild — 
were  you  ever  called  Jacquetta  ?  " 

She  came  over,  and  held  out  her  hand,  with  the  old, 
bright,  half-mocking  smile. 

"  Yes  !  And  so  cousin  Alfred  has  not  forgotten  Jack 
De  Vere  ?  " 


M 


>^m 


336 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


I   : 
If 

t 


He  took  her  hand  and  tried  to  speak,  but  a  suddea 
faintness  came  over  him,  and,  deadly  pale,  he  sunk  mute 
and  voiceless  into  a  chair. 

^*  My  lord,  he  is  fainting  I  "  she  cried,  in  alarm. 

He  made  a  faint  motion  with  his  hand. 

"  No — it  is  nothing.     A  glass  of  water — quick  ! " 

She  caught  it  from  tho  manager's  hand,  and  held  it  to 
his  lips.  He  drank  it  off,  and  catching  both  her  hands 
in  his,  looked  up  in  the  bright,  beautiful,  smiling  face;, 
with  such  a  strange,  troubled,  yearning  gaze ! 

"  Well,  my  lord,  you  will  know  me  the  next  time,  that 
is  certain.     Had  you  not  better  let  go  my  hands  ?  " 

"  Oh,  Jacquetta  1  Jacquetta  !  is  this  really  you  ?  " 

"  Well,  I  am  rather  inclined  to  thmk  so.  Do  I  not  look 
substantial  enough  ?  " 

And  she  lauglied  as  she  released  her  hands. 

"  Oh,  Jacquetta  !     I  thought  you  were  dead  ! " 

A  dark  shadow  passed  over  her  face,  a  strong  shiver 
passed  through  her  frame,  and  she  turned  away  with  a 
passionate  gesture. 

"  Oh,  that  dreadful  death-sleep !  that  terrible  vault  I 
that  awful  awakening !     God  grant  I  could  forget  it  I  " 

She  put  her  hands  over  her  face  for  a  moment,  and 
then  dropped  them — calm  once  more.  He  started  to  his 
feet,  a  new  light  dawning  upon  him. 

"  Then  you  were  not  dead — only  in  a  trance  ?  Jac- 
quetta !     Jacquetta  !  was  it  so  ?  " 

"  Even  so,  my  lord." 

«  And  then — good  heavens !  you  were  buried  alive  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  she  said,  with  another  strong  shudder. 

"  Great  Heavens !  And  how  were  you  saved  from  your 
awful  fate,  Jacquetta  ?  " 

«  God  lives  !  "  she  said,  looking  up  reverently.  "  And 
the  same  power  that  once  saved  Daniel  in  the  lion's  den, 
Jonah  from  the  depths  of  the  sea,  saved  Jacquetta  from 
her  living  tomb." 

"  But  how — who — Mr.  De  Vere  did  not  know  ?  " 

"  No  ;  but  what  can  it  matter  to  you,  lord  earl  ?  " 

The  old  look  of  cold  hauteur  passed  over  her  face,  and 
she  turned  away  with  a  small,  impatient  motion. 

«  Oh,  Jacquetta !  "  he  reproachfully  cried. 


THE  ACTRESS  AND  THE  EARI,. 


337 


I 


"V^ell,  my  lord." 

"Ivly  lord!  This  from  you?  It  was  Alfred,  once, 
Jacquetta." 

"  That  time  has  passed,  my  Lord  Earnecliffe ;  and  you 
had  better  forget  it  ever  existed.  It  is  not  fraught  with 
such  pleasant  reminiscences  for  either  of  us." 

"Forget  it?  Never,  while  life  remains!  Oh,  Jac- 
quetta !  you  are  free  now ;  may  I  not  hope — " 

"  Lord  earl,  you  forget  yourself !  "  she  imperiously 
cried.  "  Hope  for  nothing  from  me !  Jack  De  Vere  is 
Jack  De  Vere  still !  " 

"  Thank  heaven  for  that !  Look  on  this,  Jacquetta, 
and  see  if  you  know  it  yet." 

He  drew  out  a  locket  set  with  diamonds,  and  opened  it, 
disclosed  a  small  piece  of  paper  on  which  a  few  faint 
pencil-marks  still  lingered.  She  took  it ;  and  up  over  her 
neck,  face,  and  brow  flushed  a  hot,  crimson  tide. 

"  My  lord !  my  lord !  "  she  cried,  in  a  choking  voice, 
"  I  have  not  deserved  this  I  I  was  insane  when  that  was 
written." 

"  Then,  let  me  hope  you  are  insane  still.  Oh,  Jacquetta  \ 
my  life  1  my  love !  my  hope !  do  not  retract  what  you 
once  wrote  here.     Tell  me  you  love  me  still ! " 

"  Lord  Earnecliffe,  do  you  dare  to  speak  thus  to  me  ? 
Do  you  forget  the  secret  of  that  lonely  room  in  old  Fon- 
telle  ?  " 

"  Then,  you  do  not  know  ?    Oh,  Jacquetta !  he  is  dead !  '* 

"  Dead  ! "  she  cried  with  a  start,  turning  first  red  and 
then  ashen  white.     "  Oh,  Alfred !  I  never  heard  this." 

"  He  has  been  dead  nearly  a  year  now.  You  are  free 
. — free  as  air,  Jacquetta  I  My  heart,  my  hand,  my  for- 
tune— my  very  life,  lies  at  your  feet.  Oh,  Jacquetta  I 
speak,  and  tell  me  I  may  live." 

She  looked  at  him  with  a  strange  glance,  and  her  cold 
look  softened  a  little  as  she  saw  his  eager,  wild,  passion- 
ate gaze. 

"  Then  you  have  not  forgotten  Jacquetta  yet,  my  lord  ?  '* 

"  Forget  you  !  Oh,  Jacquetta  !  sleeping  or  waking, 
night  or  day,  you  have  never  for  one  instiint  been  for- 
gotten." 

"  You  are  blessed  with  a  good  memory.  Lord  Earn©- 


l\ 


m 


1 


338 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


cliffe  ;  and  yet  there  is  one  little  circumstance  you  have 
ceased  to  remember  for  a  moment.  Allow  me  to  remind 
you ;  you  are  a  belted  earl,  and  I  am — Lelia,  the  actress  !  " 

That  drawing  up  of  the  small  delicate  figure — that 
proud  lift  of  the  head  —that  clear,  bright  flash  of  the  dark 
eyes — that  scornful  curl  of  the  shut  upper  lip — what  a 
world  of  pride  they  betrayed ! 

"  Neither  you  nor  I  care  for  that  one  straw — one  whit  I 
Wealth  and  rank  are  but  a  name,  and  mockery  when  put 
in  Competition  with  our  love.  You  are  not  Lelia,  the 
actress,  to  me;  you  are  Jacquetta — my  Jacquetta — my 
liege  lady — my  darling — the  one  love  of  my  life  I  Oh, 
Jacquetta ! " 

"  Softly — softly,  my  dear  lord.  What  a  gale  you  di 
get  into  for  a  trifle  I  "  (And  the  provoking  smile  of  other 
days  broke  over  her  pretty  face.)  "  Let  us  talk  this  small 
matter  over  calmly,  sensibly,  and  leave  out  all  transports 
for  the  present.  There  are  more  heads  to  this  indictment 
than  one.     I  am  Captain  Nick  Tempest's  daughter  I " 

Disbrowe  was  provoked  by  this  off-hand  way  of  doing 
business,  and  exclaimed  imperiously  : 

"  What  tlie  deuce  do  I  care !  I  don't  want  to  marry 
Captain  Nick  Tempest !     Oh,  Jacquetta !  " 

"  There  you  are  at  it  again  I  How  often  have  you  said 
thai  during  the  last  ten  minutes  ?  So  you  are  willing  to 
forget  everything  but — ' 

"  But  that  I  love  you  more  than  life.  Jacquetta — Jac- 
quetta !  you  are  torturing  me.  Speak,  and  tell  me — am 
I  to  live  or  die  ?  " 

She  looked  in  his  eyes — in  his  flushed,  eager,  impas- 
sioned face,  so  bright  and  beautiful  in  its  fervent  pleading 
— and  she  read  there  the  strong,  undying  love  that  was 
to  bless  her  whole  life.  A  soft,  tender  smile  came  to  her 
lips,  something  like  a  tear  to  her  eye,  and,  laying  her 
small,  wliite  hand  in  his,  she  said,  brightly : 

"  Live,  my  lord  !     Forever  and  ever  Jacquetta  is  yours  I " 


Well,  good  reader,  are  you  on  the  qui  vive  for  what 
came  after  that?  If  you  are,  and  expect  a  glowing 
description  of  Lord  Earnecltffe's  transports,  I  am  sorry 


THE  ACTRESS  AND  THE  EARI,. 


339 


to  disappoint  you.  The  fact  is,  it  is  very  tantalizing 
either  reading  or  writing  of  such  things — something  like 
being  hungry,  and  looking  in  a  pastry-cook's  window 
when  you  have  no  money  in  your  pocket.  Just  imagine, 
my  dear  gentleman  friend,  how  you  felt  when  "your 
own  Mary  Aim  "  said  something  similar,  and  multiply 
that  by  a  thousand-fold,  and  you  will  have  a  pretty  good 
idea  of  how  Lord  Earnecliffe  felt  a!  that  moment.  It  was 
one  of  those  brief,  blissful  instants  of  unmitigated  sun- 
shine that  shine  on  us  so  rarely — more's  the  pity — in  this 
life ;  and  two  of  the  wanderers  in  this  vale  of  tears  were, 
for  the  time  being,  perfectly  and  completely  happy. 

But  Lord  Austrey!  What  words  can  paint  the  as- 
tonishment, amazement,  not  to  say  horror,  of  that  young 
Briton  at  hearing  and  seeing  all  this  !  The  whole  English 
language  would  have  been  inadequate  to  the  task  of  ex- 
pressing his  feelings.  So,  thrusting  his  hands  into  his 
pockets,  he  began  whistling,  with  the  most  piercing 
emphasis,  "God  save  the  King." 

Jacquetta  looked  at  him  and  lauglied. 

"  You  think  us  crazy — do  you  not,  my  lord  ?  " 

"  Well,  really,"  said  Lord  George,  politely,  "  I  am  not 
prepared  to  say  exactly  that  you  are  ;  but  my  private  con- 
viction is,  that  some  one  of  us  three  is  an  idiot.  Which 
one  it  is,  I  am  not  at  liberty  to  say." 

"  Come,  George,  my  dear  old  fellow,"  exclaimed  Dis- 
browe,  laying  a  hand  on  either  shoulder,  "  wish  me  joy ! 
I  am  the  happiest  fellow  in  the  whole  world  ! " 

"  Oh,  are  you  ?  Well,  of  course,  you  ought  to  know 
best ;  but  I'll  be  hanged  if  I  can  make  head  or  tail  of  this 
whole  matter ! " 

"  All  in  good  time,  my  boy  !  Jacquetta,  will  you  not 
come  with  us  to-night  ?  Augusta,  and  Orrie,  and  Mr.  De 
Vere  are  here." 

"  I  know — I  saw  them.  No,  not  to-night,  Alfred.  I 
have  given  you  my  address  ;  come,  the  whole  of  you,  to- 
morrow. I  am  not  quite  calm  enough  to  see  them  to- 
night. Oh,  Alfred !  it  all  seems  like  a  dream  to  me 
yet ! " 

"  Thank  Heaven,  it  is  a  reality !  But,  first,  Jacquetta, 
will  you  not  tell  me  how  you  were  saved  ?  " 


'i^\ 


r>k:,.a 


340 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


"  SimT^ly  enough.  My  father — Captain  Nick  Tempest 
— saved  my  life." 

«HeI    How?" 

"  It  appears  he  was  at  Green  Creek  when  I  was  re- 
moved ;  and  upon  his  return  was  furious  to  find  what 
Mr.  De  Vere  had  done.  At  first,  he  was  for  going  to 
Fontelle,  and  making  a  scene  witli  Mr.  De  Vere ;  but 
Grizzle  prevailed  upon  him  to  take  a  more  prudent 
course,  and  substitute  cunning  for  violence.  He  came  to 
Fontelle  that  night,  saw  old  Tribulation — poor  Aubrey's 
nurse — and,  through  her  means,  obtained  the  key  of  the 
vault,  entered,  and  found  me — alive  I  " 

"  Heavens  !  what  a  situation  for  you !  "       ' 

"  I  had  scarcely  time  to  realize  my  situation  ;  for  I  had 
just  awakened  from  my  deathlike  sleep — my  trance,  or 
whatever  you  may  call  it ;  and  Captain  Tempest,  who  can 
be  cool  and  self-possessed  in  a  crisis,  made  no  to-do  about 
it,  but  carried  me  off,  got  me  on  board  the  'Fly-by- 
Night,'  where,  by  the  aid  of  his  surgeon,  before  morning 
Jacquetta  was  herself  again  I  " 

"  How  strange  and  terrible  I  I  have  often  heard  of 
«uch  deadly  sleeps  before.  Good  heavens  !  if  he  had  not 
come,  what  a  fate  might  have  been  yours !  " 

"  We  will  not  think  of  it.  Heaven  was  merciful.  Do 
you  know,  that  all  the  time  I  lay  there  for  dead,  I  heard 
and  understood  everything  that  passed?  I  knew  you 
watched  by  my  side  all  that  long,  sad  night — I  knew 
they  were  going  to  bury  me ;  but  I  could  not  utter  a 
word,  nor  make  the  faintest  motion.  Life  was  suspended, 
seemingly ;  yet,  oh  1  how  vividly  it  all  comes  back  to  me 
now !     I  suffered  an  age  of  agony  in  those  few  hours." 

"  My  poor  Jacquetta !  my  o^vn  darling !  To  think 
there  should  have  been  such  a  strange  destiny  keeping 
us  apart  in  this  way !  Truly,  this  world  is  full  of  paper 
walls ! " 

"  We  have  broken  them  down  at  last.  Jacquetta  and 
Alfred  stand  on  equal  terms  now — do  they  not  ?  "  she 
said,  with  a  smile. 

"  Heaven  be  praised — yes  !  But,  tell  me,  how  came 
you  to  seek  the  stage  ?  " 

*'  It  was  my  destiny,  I  suppose.    I  was  made  to  be  an 


THE  ACTRESS  AND  THE  EARL. 


341 


It 


actress,  and  not  a  countess.  Howevjr,  I  suppose  I  must 
submit.  Captain  Tempest — I  cannot  call  him  father, 
somehow — and  I  came  to  understand  each  other  i)retty 
well  before  our  journey's  end.  Alfred,  they  say  the 
demon  is  not  no  black  as  he  is  painted ;  and  I  found  Cap- 
tain Tempest  anything  but  the  ferocious  monster  he 
was  represented.  He  saw  we  could  not  get  on  together, 
and  he  agreed  to  let  me  go  through  the  world  my  own 
way.  So  we  parted — he  for  Cuba,  and  I  for  France ;  and 
since  then  we  have  never  met.  I  took  my  own  name, 
and  was  successful,  as  you  know.  I  met  Lady  Austrey 
abroad,  and  came  with  her  to  England." 

"  And  that  reminds  me  !  How  in  the  world  came  you 
and  Norma  ever  to  know  each  other  ?  " 

She  laughed,  and  her  eyes  sparkled. 

"  What  great  stupid  things  these  lords  of  creation  are. 
So  you  really  cannot  suspect  ?" 

"Upon  my  honor  I  cannot." 

"  Then  I  shall  not  tell  you — perhaps  Norma  may  some 
day.  B  it  tell  me,  Alfred,  how  is  Augusta  ?  I  saw  her  in 
your  box,  looking  like  a  living  skeleton." 


"  Yes ;  she  is  dead  in  life." 


the 


"My    poor,   poor   sister.     Have   they   discovered 
source  of  this  mysterious  sorrow  of  hers  yet  ?  " 

"  I  have ;  she  told  me  in  confidence,  and  I  believe  it  has  no 
real  foundation  whatever ;  yet  you  see  it  is  wearing  away 
her  life.  What  a  pity  we  cannot  all  be  happy  in  this 
world — as  happy  as  I  am." 

"  I  don't  know  as  you  have  any  great  cause  for  happi- 
ness after  all.  I  am  not  much  of  a  treasure  for  any  one. 
But  now  you  positively  must  go,  Alfred ;  and  listen ;  bring 
Orrie  with  you  when  you  come  to-morrow.  I  wonder  if 
Mr.  De  Vere  will  give  her  to  me  now  ?  " 

"He  shall.  The  Countess  of  Earnecliffe  shall  claim 
her  own  child.  She  knew  you  the  moment  she  saw  you, 
Jacquetta." 

"  I  am  glad  ! — I  am  glad !  Oh,  Alfred !  how  my  heart 
has  yearned  for  that  child — almost  as  much,  "  she  said 
with  a  smile,  half  sad,  half  gay,  "  as  it  has  for  somebody 
else.  And  now,  Lord  Austrey,  good-night ;  remember  me 
to  her  ladyship,  and  tell  her  her  prophecy  has  come  true,^ 


$\ 


'J 


t 


,  I. 


342 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


"  What  was  that  ?  "  said  Disbrowe,  curiously. 

"  Never  mind.  I  will  tell  you  some  day.  Good-night, 
Alfred — good-night,  my  lord." 

She  turned  to  go.     Disbrowe  took  a  step  after  her. 

«  Not  with  this  cold  parting,  surely,  Jacquetta  ?  " 

"  Keep  the  feast  till  the  feast  day,"  laughed  .T.icquetta. 
And  with  a  wave  of  her  hand  and  a  bright,  sauc  glance, 
she  was  gone. 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 


AN  OLD  FOE. 


*•  Who  comes  from  the  bridal  chamber  ? 
'Tis  Azrael,  the  angel  of  death."— Shalaba. 

It  was  a  happy  scene  on  which  the  glad  sunshine 
streamed  the  next  morning,  as  it  came  in  long,  slanting 
beams  between  the  folds  of  the  damask  curtains,  and 
irradiated  the  beammg  faces  on  which  it  fell. 

They  were  in  Jacquetta's  parlor  at  the  hotel — Mr.  De 
Vere,  Augusta,  Orrie  and  Disbrowe.  Jacquetta  herself 
bewitching  in  a  morning-dress  of  blue  silk,  sat  on  a  low 
ottoman  at  Mr.  De  Vere's  side,  one  hand  clasped  in  his, 
the  other  arm  encircling  little  Orrie.  It  seemed  like  old 
times  to  be  all  together  again,  and  the  sad,  lonely  years 
that  had  intervened  since  they  parted  last,  v^ere  like  a 
dark,  vague  dream.  Jacquetta  sat,  bright,  radiant,  en- 
trancing as  a  little  sunbeam ;  her  piquant  little  face 
flushed,  sparkling  with  her  new-found  happiness.  Mr. 
De  Vert,'s  face  wore  a  look  of  quiet  delight,  mixed  with 
a  sort  of  chronic  remorse  for  the  past ;  and  little  Orrie 
stood  gazing  on  her  new-found  mamma,  with  a  mingled 
expression  of  pleasure  and  doubt.  Even  Augusta's  sad, 
wan  face  was  lit  up  with  a  faint  glow  of  pleasure,  and 
her  large,  melancholy  dark  eyes  lingered  long  and  fondly 
on  the  bright  face  of  her  long-lost  sister. 

But  Disbrowe — who  shall  paint  the  state  of  beatitude 
he  was  in — the  profound  joy,  too  deep  and  mtense  for  . 
words  ?    Ah  I  cynics  may  scoff ;  but,  after  all,  the  bi'ight- 
est  moment  of  our  life  is  when  we  know  we  love  and  are 
loved  again.    It  brings  the  most  perfect  joy  this  world 


AN  OLD  FOE. 


343 


le 
)r 

re 
d 


has  to  give.  I  don't  say  it  will  last ;  and  you  know  the 
pithy  Scotch  proverb :  "  A  kiss  and  a  drink  of  water 
make  but  a  poor  breakfast ; "  but,  after  ail,  the  kiss  is 
very  delicious  for  the  time  being  ;  and  though  one  would 
not  live  on  sweets  always,  they  are  very  delightful  things, 
indeed,  in  their  way,  and  much  more  pleasant  at  the  mo- 
ment than  the  hard  brown  bread  of  every-day  life.  So 
Lord  Earnecliffe — poor,  faithful  fellow — felt  repaid  a 
thousand-fold  for  all  he  had  endured  and  suffered  for  her 
sake ;  and  as  the  heart  best  knoweth  its  own  bitterness, 
he  had  suffered,  too.  To  think  that  she  was  his  at  last, 
his  own — this  fierce,  tameless  spirit,  half-mortal,  half 
changeling,  but  wholly  bewitching — to  think  that  he  was 
to  place  a  coronet  on  tliat  graceful  head — to  call  he"  wife, 
to — oh !  it  was  too  much  bliss !  and  it  would  have  re- 
quired an  iceberg  applied  to  either  temple  to  cool  the 
fever  in  his  blood  at  the  thought. 

"  Strange,  strange — most  strange  ! "  murmured  Mr.  De 
Vere,  as  he  listened  to  Jacquetta  repeating  the  story  Dis- 
browe  had  told  him  the  night  before.  Oh,  Jacquetta  I 
what  an  escape  you  have  had.  What  an  awful  fate 
might  have  been  yours — to  be  buried  alive,  the  most 
dreadful  of  all  dooms !  What  a  debt  of  gratitude  we  all 
owe  to  Captain  Tempest  at  last  1 " 

"  He  was  very  kind  tc>  me ;  and  I  owe  him  more  than  I 
can  ever  repay  ;  but  to  live  on  wealth  obtained  as  his  had 
been,  I  could  not ;  and  so  we  parted." 


Mr.  De  Vere.     "  He 
-that  terrible 


"  I  wonder  he  let  you  go,"  said 
seemed  bent  on  obtaining  you  that  day- 
day.    I  will  never  forget." 

"  Do  not  think  of  it,  sir.  No  ;  strange  to  say,  he  made 
no  objection  to  my  resolution.  I  believe  he  loved  me  in 
a  sort  of  a  way — that  is,  he  did  not  care  two  pins  for „ Jac- 
quetta De  Vere ;  but  he  still  fondly  cherished  the  memory 
of  liis  lost  Lelia.  And  seeing  how  desperately  in  earnest 
I  was,  he  did  not  oppose  me.  And  so  we  parted  in  Havre : 
he  to  go  to  Cuba,  and  I  to  go  to  Paris,  under  the  name  of 
Madame  Lelia,  and  make  my  first  appearance  on  the 
stage." 

"  What  a  strange  life  yours  has  been,  Jacquetta ! — a 
real  romance  in  real  life.     What  a  brave,  strong  heart 


I- 


I 


il 


344 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


you  must  have,  my  dear  cliild,  to  endure  so  much  and 
make  no  sign !  And  all  through  me  I  Oh,  Jacquetta, 
how,  how  can  you  ever  forgive  me  ?  " 

"  Very  easily,  sir.  You  do  not  think  me  such  a  vindic- 
tive little  mons.er,  I  hope." 

"  But  you  have  been  so  cruelly  "wronged ;  so  deeply  in- 
jured— deprived  of  a  name,  of  a  home,  of  friends,  of  a 
cliild,  of  a  fatlier,  all  in  one  day.  Oh,  Jacquetta  I  you 
ii'.iy  forgive  me  ;  but  I  can  never  forgive  myself." 

"  Dear  papa,"  she  said,  calling  him  for  the  first  time  by 
the  old  familiar  name,  "  why  will  you  rake  over  tiie  ashes 
of  a  fire  that  went  out  long  ago.  Let  the  dead  past  bury 
its  dead,  and  remember  nothing  but  that  I  am  the 
happiest  woman  in  all  England  to-day." 

She  looked  at  Disbrowe  with  a  smile  ;  and  her  bright 
eyes  were  full  of  love  and  trust. 

"  After  a  storm  there  cometh  a  calm,  and  after  tears 
and  weeping  He  poureth  in  joy  fulness  ! "  murmured  Mr. 
De  Vere.  "  Heaven  be  praised  for  that  I  And  now,  Jac- 
quetta, will  you  ever  go  back  to  America  ?  " 

She  laughed  a  little,  glad  laugh. 

"  You  forget  Jacquetta  is  not  to  be  her  own  mistress 
much  longer — more's  the  pity.  You  must  consult  my 
future  lord  and  master  about  that,  .\s  I  will  have  to  bow 
to  his  superior  judgment,  I  suppose." 

"  Your  future  lord  and  master  is  ready  to  obey  his  liege 
lady's  slightest  wish.  Do  what  you  like,  go  where  you 
like,  and  you  will  please  me — even  should  it  be  to  the  re- 
motest corner  of  Kamschatka !  " 

«  How  charming !  What  a  model  husband  you  will 
make,  n^y  lord  !  What  do  you  wager  you  are  not  ready 
to  give  me  a  good  shaking  before  a  month,  now  ?  " 

"  It  would  not  be  the  first  time  I  have  felt  like  it,  you 
little  torment !  Nevertheless,  we  will  go  back  to  America 
whenever  you  please,  and  buy  the  whole  State  of  New 
Jersey  for  a  country  seat,  if  you  say  so." 

"  Thank  you  !  How  very  generous  you  are  !  Dear — 
dear  old  Fon telle — how  glad  I  shall  be  to  see  it  again  I 
Won't  you,  Orrie  ?  " 

"Y-e-s,"   said    Orrie,   meditatively.     "I  guess  so,  if 


\-: 


AN  OLD  FOE. 


345 


11 


i! 
if 


grandpa  don't  send  me  back  to  school.  l\\  a  great  deal 
rather  go  with  Frank  !  "  and  be  a  middy." 

"  P(>or — dear  Frank  laughed  Jacquetta,  "he  was  such 
a  stanch  friond  and  admirer  of  mine  always.  I  wish  you 
had  brought  him  with  you  to  England,  papa." 

"  I  couldn't,  my  dear.  You  will  see  him,  though, 
when  Alfred  takes  you  back.  And,  <>  propotf^  when  aie 
you  to  be  transformed  into  Lady  Earned itt'e.  Jack?" 

Jacquetta  blushed,  but  before  she  could  speak,  l)is- 
browe  began  beseechingly  : 

"  Do  intercede  for  me,  sir  ! — where  is  the  use  of  wait- 
ing? I  have  been  urging  her  to  name  some  day  next 
week,  but  she  is  not  to  be  persuaded.  If  you  will  only 
try  your  influence,  you  may  prevail  on  her.  Augusta 
— Orrie — do  persuade  her  to  listen  to  reason  !  " 

"  Reason  I  Now,  my  lord,  I  think  it  is  most  unreason- 
able— next  month  will  be  quite  time  enough." 

Disbrowe's  gesture  of  despair  at  such  an  announcement 
made  Mr.  De  Vere  smile ;  and,  turning  to  the  wilful 
beauty,  he  began,  coaxingly  : 

'*  Nonsense,  Jacquetta ! — don't  be  absurd  !  I  can't  see 
why  you  should  object  to  next  week,  if  the  settlements 
can  be  got  ready  in  that  time — eh,  Earnecliife  ?  " 

"  Of  course  not,  sir  !  There  is  no  possible  reason  why 
she  should  do  so ;  and,  as  for  the  settlements,  I'll  pledge 
you  my  word  they  will  be  all  right.  Come,  Jacquetta, 
do  consent  and  make  me  happy  at  once." 

"  Happy.  He  calls  that  happiness  I "  said  Jacquetta, 
sotto  voce.  "  Why,  papa,  such  haste  is  perfectly  barbarous  I 
— no  one  ever  heard  of  such  a  thing !  Why,  when  a  man 
is  going  to  be  hanged  they  give  him  three  or  four  weeks 
to  prepare ;  and  I  don't  see  why  you  should  be  less  mer- 
ciful than  the  grim  old  judge  !  " 

"  Now,  Miss  Jack — I  mean  mamma — don't,"  said  Orrie, 
looking  sympathizingly  at  Disbrowe.  "  Don't  you  see  you 
are  making  him  feel  bad  ?  Why  can't  you  do  what  he 
wants — I'm  sure  Z  would." 

"  Bravo,  Orrie  ! "  said  Mr.  De  Vere,  laughing. 

"  Would  yoUj  really,  Orrie  ?  "  said  Jacquetta.  "  Will 
you  come  and  live  with  us  if  I  do  ?  " 


346 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


"  I  guess  I  will,"  said  Orrie,  with  sparkling  eyes,  « if 
grjiiidpa  lets  me  I     May  I,  gi'andpaV" 

"  Decidedly,  ray  dear  1  Come,  prevail  on  mamma  to 
name  some  day  next  week  ! " 

"Now,  mamma,  do  I — why  can't  you?  Just  see  how 
solemn  he  looks.  I'm  sure  he  would  do  as  much  for  you, 
if  you  asked  him.    Aunt  'Gusty,  (joax  mamma  ?  '* 

"  My  dear  Jacquetta,  let  me  prevail  on  you  to  make 
Alfred  happy,"  said  Augusta,  with  one  of  her  faint  cold 
smiles,     "  Life  is  too  short  to  be  spent  in  waiting." 

«  Oh,  Jacquetta  I  be  reasonable  ! — do,  for  once  in  your 
life  !     Let  it  be  next  Thursday,"  i)leaded  Disbrowe. 

Jacquetta  laughed  and  shrugged  her  shoulders. 

"  Well,  be  it  so — a  wilful  man  must  have  his  way ;  but 
if  you  repent  before  the  honeymoon  is  over,  don't  say  it 
was  my  fault." 

"  Repent !  Ah,  my  darling  I  you  know  I  will  never  do 
that ! " 

"  Indeed,  I  don't  I  Thiiik  of  Socrates !  How  do  you 
know  but  I  will  turn  out  a  second  Xantippe  on  your 
hands  ?    I  consent,  but  on  one  condition." 

« What  is  that  ?  Name  it,  and  it  shall  be  fulfilled, 
though  it  were  half  my  kingdom." 

"  Ah  !  that  sounds  very  fine  ;  but  I  know  the  proverb : 
*  Grood  promisers  are  bad  performers.'  However,  we  will 
see.  Our  marriage  must  be  strictly  private.  I  mil  have 
no  pomp,  or  fuss,  or  parade.  If  I  am  to  be  a  countess,  I 
will  put  off  my  greatness  as  long  as  possible.  And,  sec- 
ondly, instead  of  going  to  the  continent  after  the  cere- 
mony, you  will  take  me  to  America.  I  want  to  see  the 
land  of  my  birth  and  the  horie  of  my  childhood  once  more." 

"  It  shall  be  done  on  the  honor  of  an  earl.  Have  you 
any  further  commands  for  your  slave  ?  " 

"  No — yes  ;  I  want  to  see  N  orraa — I  mean  Lady  Aus- 
trey — this  morning.  So,  though  it  is  yet  unfashionably 
early,  I  will  take  the  privilege  of  a  friend,  and  dress  im- 
mediately for  the  visit." 

"  By  the  way,  Jacquetta,"  said  Disbrowe,  as  she  arose 
to  go,  "  when  am  I  to  learn  the  mystery  of  this  strange 
intimacy  between  you  and  Norma  ?  Austrey  told  me  his 
wife  fainted,  or  something,  the  moment  she  saw  you." 


AN  OLD  FOE. 


347 


"  My  dear  air,  is  it  such  a  very  uiiUHual  thing  for  a  lady 
to  fiiint  suddt'iUy,  that  I  am  to  be  brought  to  tank  for  it? 
Lady  Aiistiey  might  faint  a  thousand  times,  and  Jao- 
(juetta  have  nothing  to  do  with  it." 

"True!  l>ut  wlieii  Lady  Austrey  immediately  getH 
into  a  stjite  of  mind,  and  insists  on  seeing  Jaequetta, 
surely  that  lady  has  sonu^thing  to  do  with  it,  then." 

"  Ah  I  you  are  dying  to  know,  1  see  ;  but  I  shan't  tell 
you — at  least  till  Norma  gives  me  leave.  So,  for  ten 
mimites,  an  rccoir.^^  And  the  bright  littlo  vision  was 
gone. 

Half  an  hour  later,  the  whole  party  di'ew  up  l)efore  the 
stiitely  portal  of  Tremain  House,  and  were  ushered  into 
the  drawing-room,  where  they  found  Norma  aloue. 

"  My  dearest  Norma  !  '* 

"My  clear — dear  Jacquetta!"  And  the  two  friends 
were  clasped  in  each  other's  arms. 

"  So,  my  lord,  the  wanderer  is  found,"  said  Lady  Aus- 
trey, when  the  first  greetings  were  over,  turning,  with  a 
smile,  to  Disbrowe. 

"  Yes ;  and,  if  I  do  not  mistake  greatly,  we  liave  to 
thank  your  ladyship  for  it." 

She  laughed. 

"  How  is  this,  Madame  Lelia  ?    Have  you  been  t^  llmg  ?  " 

"  Not  I — though  it  was  not  for  want  of  coaxing,  I  can 
assure  you." 

"  No;  we  have  been  lavishing  entreaties  on  her  which, 
if  she  hiad  not  a  heart  as  hard  as  the  nether  millstone, 
she  could  not  resist.  Will  Lady  Austrey  be  more  merci- 
ful, and  explain  the  mystery  r* " 

She  blushed  and  looked  at  Jacquetta. 

«  ShaU  I  tell  him  ?  " 

"Just  as  you  like.  He  will  die  of  a  rush  of  curiosity 
to  the  brain,  if  you  don't." 

As  she  spoke  the  door  opened,  and  Mrs.  Tremain  and 
her  daughter  entered.  Cordial  greetings  were  inter- 
changed ;  and,  finding  the  rest  were  in  the  midst  of  an 
animated  conversation,  Norma  beckoned  to  Disbrowe  and 
made  room  for  him  beside  her. 

"  So  you  would  like  to  know  how  Jacquetta  and  I  came 
to  know  each  other  ?  " 


it  J 


It' 


-,■  -^ 


348 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


*'  Really  I  must  plead  guilty,  I  fear.  You  knew  her 
before  you  met  in  Italy  ?  " 

"  Yes — let  me  see — nearly  a  year  before." 

"Why— how?' 

"  Well,  you  needn't  exclaim  in  that  way,  and  draw  at- 
tention— it  is  simple  enough  when  you  come  to  under- 
stand it." 

"But,  my  dear  madam,  a  year  before,  she  was  in 
America ! " 

« I  know  it  I     So  was  I ! " 

«  What ! " 

"Why,  how  thunderstruck  you  look  !  Is  my  visiting 
that  country  as  well  as  other  people,  such  an  unheard-of 
thin  V  ?  » 

"  But  really — why,  my  dear  Norma,  I  never  heard  you 
were  there,"  he  cried,  completely  astounded. 

"  Very  likely — yet  I  was  there,  nevertheless.  How  is 
Captain  Tempest,  and  my  friend.  Grizzle  Howlet,  and 
Mr.  Rowlie,  of  the  Mermaid  Inn  ?  " 

She  half  laughed,  yet  there  was  an  unusual  flush  on 
her  pearly  face.    Disbrowe  sat  mute  with  amazement. 

"  Dumb,  I  see  1  By  the  way,  my  lord,  have  you  heard 
of  your  Spanish  friend,  Jacinto,  lately  ?  '- 

A  light  broke  upon  him  !  With  a  half-repressed  cry 
he  nearly  sprung  from  his  seat. 

"  Good  heavens  I  were  you — could  you — ?  Oh,  Norma, 
was  it  you  I  " 

She  was  crimson  to  the  temples,  yet  she  met  his  startled 
eyes  firmly,  and  said,  "  Yes  !  " 

"  And  I  never  knew  it — never  suspected  it.  Norma — 
Norma  !  what  an  idiot  I  have  been  !  " 

"  Hard  words,  my  lord ;  but,  of  course,  you  know 
best." 

"And  you  were — you  followed  me  there  I  Did  Jac- 
quetta  know  it.  Norma  ?  " 

« Yes ;  her  keen  eyes  discovered  me  at  once ;  and  I 
told  her  all.  Do  you  understand,  now,  the  scene  in  my 
room  ?  " 

"  Oh  I  everything  is  as  clear  as  day  now !  Good 
Heaven  1  how  I  should  have  been  so  blind !  Does  your 
father  know,  Norma  ?  " 


AN  OI^D  FOE. 


349 


"  No ;  no  one  knows  but  you  and  Jacquetta ;  I  ought 
to  have  told  George,  I  suppose ;  but  really  I  felt  ashamed 
to  tell  him  I  had  made  such  a  fool  of  myself.  '  Where 
ignorance  is  bliss,'  you  know,  *  'tis  folly  to  be  wise.'  Per- 
haps, also,  you  understand  the  mystery  of  the  painting 
now,  too?" 

"  Oh,  everything  is  as  clear  as  noonday ;  but  this  is  so 
strange  I  can  scarcely  believe  I  am  not  dreaming  ! " 

"  Think  it  a  dream,  if  you  like.  I  wish  it  was.  But, 
my  lord,  don't  flatter  yourself  too  nuicli.  You  know  how 
intensely  romantic  I  always  was,  and 
much  for  the  sake  of  the  adventure,  as 
Captain  Disbrowe,  that  I  went.     It  had 


it  was  quite  as 
for  the  sake  of 
haunted  my  im- 


agination for  years,  an  escapade  like  tliat ;  and  when  the 
opportunity  offered,  I  seized  it.  Papa  was  abroad  on 
the  continent,  and  would  not  return  until  you  did ;  so  it 
was  easy  enough  feigning  a  trip  to  Scotland,  and  going 
to  America  instead.  You  remember  my  disguise,  my 
dyed  hair,  and  wain 'it- barked  complexion,  and  how  com- 
pletely it  changed  me,  when  you  failed  to  recognize  me  ? 
At  Southampton,  I  think  it  was — I  lirst  met  Captain 
Tempest ;  and  finding  he  was  to  sail  the  next  day,  took 
passage  with  him  to  America.  A  few  days  after  my  ar- 
rival, we  met ;  Jacquetta  discovered  my  secret ;  I  told  her 
my  history  ;  and  though  she  blamed  me  for  my  wild  freak, 
yet  she  consented  to  keep  my  secret.     And  ^o— finis  !  " 

He  smiled,  and  looked  at  her  with  a  strange  glance. 
She  met  it  with  one  half-scornful,  half-shy. 

"  No,  my  lord ;  have  no  doubts  on  the  subject.  I  have 
completely  got  over  my  school-girl  penchant  for  the  dash- 
ing guardsman.  I  love  my  husband  with  my  whole  heart, 
and  him  alone.  When  am  I  to  congratulate  Lady  Earne- 
cliffe,  my  lord?" 

"Next  week,"  he  answered,  his  eyes  filling  with  love 
and  pride,  as  they  rested  on  Jacquetta. 

"  Ah,  1  am  glad !  Dear  Jacquetta,  how  happy  she  will 
be!" 

"  I  hope  so — I  trust  so.  If  the  devotion  of  a  life  can 
make  her  so,  she  will  be  indeed." 

Some  other  visitors  were  announced  as  he  spoke,  and 
our  party  arose  to  go. 


!• 


ho  'I 


350 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


Mr.  De  Vere  had  promised  to  take  Orrie  somewhere. 
So  they  set  off  on  foot,  while  Augusta  and  Jacquetta  en- 
tered the  earl's  brougham  to  be  driven  home.  As  they 
drove  on,  laughing  and  chatting  gayly,  their  £  .tention 
was  arrested  by  a  mob  that  had  gathered  round  a  drunken 
woman  in  the  street.  A  sudden  cheer  arose,  as  they  ap- 
proached ;  and  the  horses,  only  half- tamed  things  at  best, 
saw  fit  to  take  fright ;  and  the  instant  after,  were  dashing 
along  like  mad.  Disbrowe  strove  to  check  their  mad 
career,  but  in  vain ;  and  they  flew  like  lightning  on  in 
the  direction  of  Westminster  Bridge,  threatening  every 
moment  to  dash  the  carriage  to  pieces.  People  cleared 
the  road  in  terror,  and  let  them  dash  on  to  certain  de- 
struction— without  making  any  attempt  to  stop  them. 
Augusta  lay  in  a  dead  swoon,  and  Jacquetta  sat  white  as 
marble,  perfectly  still. 

They  were  on  the  bridge ;  and  the  passengers  shrunk 
to  either  side,  in  dismay,  when,  suddenly,  a  man,  whose 
eagle  eye  caught  sight  of  the  faces  within,  uttered  a  wild 
shout,  and  springing  forward,  heedless  of  danger,  seized 
the  nearest  horse  by  the  bridle,  and  in  spite  of  their  mad 
plunging  and  rearing,  held  him  in  a  grasp  of  iron  for  one 
moment.  The  next,  a  cry  of  horror  broke  from  the 
crowd :  he  was  down,  trampled  under  the  feet  of  the 
furious  animals,  but  a  dozen  hands  now  held  them  fast ; 
and,  the  next  moment,  Disbrowe  was  out  of  the  carriage, 
forcing  his  way  through  the  crowd  to  where  the  wounded 
man  lay.  Crushed,  trampled,  bleeding,  a  fearful  spectacle, 
he  lay  there,  with  the  pitying  crowd  bending  over  him. 

"  Is  he  dead  ? "  cried  Disbrowe,  kneeling  beside  the 
bleeding  form. 

"No,  my  lord,"  said  the  man  he  addressed,  touching 
his  cap.  "  Not  dead  yet,  but  soon  will  be.  Skull  frac- 
tured, I  think." 

"  He  must  be  removed  instantly,"  said  Disbrowe,  start- 
ing up.     "  Do  any  of  you  know  him  ?  " 

No ;  no  one  did.  He  was  a  sailor,  they  thought,  and, 
very  likely,  a  stranger.  ^1 

Even  as  he  spoke,  the  wounded  man's  eyes  opened, 
and  fixed  themselves  on  Disbrowe. 

'*  Lelia — Lelia  I    Where  is  Lelia  ?  "  he  cried. 


"ALL  THINGS  HATH  AN  END." 


351 


That  voice  !  It  reached  Jacquetta  where  she  sat ;  and, 
the  next  moment,  with  a  startled  cry  of  grief  and  horror, 
she  was  bending  over  him. 

«  Oh,  Alfred  I     Oh,  Heaven !  it  is  my  father  ! " 

"  I'm  done  for,  Lelia  !  It's  all  up  with  old  Nick  Tem- 
pest, at  last, '  he  said,  holding  out  his  hand,  Avith  some- 
thing like  a  smile. 

Jacquetta  wrung  her  hands. 

"  Oh,  Alfred,  can  nothmg  be  done  ?  Must  he  die  here 
— in  this  dreadful  place  ?  " 

"  Heaven  forbid !  Here,  my  men,  bring  a  cab  instantly 
—  will  you  ?  " 

As  if  by  magic,  one  was  found,  and  was  beside  him 
immediately.  The  wounded  man  was  lifted  in.  Jac- 
quetta, and  a  surgeon,  Avho  providentially  happened  to 
be  among  the  crowd,  entered  after  him,  and  drove  off, 
while  Disbrowe  re-entered  the  brougham,  where  Augusta 
still  lay  insensible,  and  followed.  And  so  the  two  mortal 
foes  had  met  again. 


CHAPTER  XXX.        - 
*'  All  things  hath  an  end.'' — Proverb. 

**  We  are  born  ;  we  laugh — we  weop — 
We  love— we  droop — we  die." — Cornwall. 

"  And  there  is  no  hope.  Doctor  ?  " 

"  None,  my  lord ;  he  must  die.  No  human  power  can 
save  him  now ! " 

"  I  knew  it  myself,  and  could  have  told  you  so,"  said 
the  wounded  man.  "  When  a  man's  skull  is  fractured,  he 
is  not  likely  to  go  cruising  round  the  world  much  longer. 
I  say.  Doctor,  how  many  hours  before  I'm  in  port  ?  " 

"  You  may  possibly  live  four  or  live  hours — not  longer," 
said  the  physician,  as  he  arose  to  go. 

"  Humph !  short  notice  to  settle  one's  accounts ;  but 
it  must  do,  I  suppose.     Lelia !  " 

"  Here,  father,"  she  answered,  k^^icling  beside  him. 
"  Shall  I  send  for  a  clergyman  ?  " 

"  For  a  clergyman !  No.  What  do  you  suppose 
Captain  Nick    Tempest   has  to   do  with  a  clergyman? 


(Il 


'•■  'J  .11 


'^% 


352 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


|: 


Come  here,  my  girl,  and  tell  me ;  for  the  wrong  your  old 
father  has  done  you,  can  you  forgive  him  now  ?  " 

"  From  the  bottom  of  my  heart — as  freely  as  I  hope  to 
be  forgiven,"  she  earnestly  answered. 

"  And  you,  my  lord — they  say  you  are  a  lord  now  ? 
We  have  not  been  very  good  friends  hitherto ;  but  will 
you  shake  hands  with  the  rough  old  sailor  befora  he 
goes  ?  " 

He  held  out  his  hand,  and  Disbrowe  took  it  between 
both  his. 

"  Then  we  are  friends,  my  lord  ?  " 

"  We  are,  with  all  my  heart." 

"  Thank  you.  It  was  all  my  fault.  I  was  a  rough  cus- 
tomer, I  know ;  but  the  world  and  I  were  never  on  very 
good  terms,  and  I  got  reckless,  knocking  about  its  sharp 
corners.  It  has  given  me  som^  pretty  hard  raps,  my 
lord,  until  it  has  made  me  what  you  see  me  now.  But  I 
am  not  likely  to  trouble  it  much  longer.  Lelia,  you  have 
been  an  actress  since  ;  are  you  one  yet  ?  " 

"  No,  Captain  Tempest,"  interrupted  Disbrowe ;  "  she 
is  Lelia,  the  actress,  no  longer.  A  few  days  will  make 
her  Countess  of  Earnecliffe  I  " 

"  Ah  ! "  said  the  captain,  Avhile  his  dull  eye  lit  up.  "  A 
countess — my  daughter — old  Nick  Tempest's  daughter  a 
countess  I " 

Something  ludicrous  in  the  notion  seemed  to  strike 
him  ;  and  he  laughed  outright. 

"Do  not  mind  that,  father — do  not  think  of  it.  Re- 
member how  few  are  the  hours  you  have  to  live,"  said 
Jac(iuetta,  gravely. 

"  Long  enough  for  what  I  have  to  do.  Tell  me,  Lelia, 
— or,  rather,  do  you  tell  me,  my  lord,  were  you  ever  en- 
gaged to  be  married  to  a  certain  Norma  Macdonald  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  said  Disbrowe,  surprised  at  the  question. 

"  Well,  wliy  did  you  not  marry  her  ?  " 

"  For  many  reasons.  Captain.  She  refused  me,  and 
married  another." 

"  Is  she  now  in  England  ?  " 

"Yes."  - 

"  I  should  like  to  see  her.     Send  for  her,  Lelia.*  , 

w  Wliy,  father,  do  you  know  her  ?  " 


*'AI.Iv  THINGS  HATH  AN  END." 


353 


le 


d 


"  No ;  but  I  should  like  to.    Have  you  ever  met  her, 

Lelia  ?  " 

"  Often,  father.     She  is  like  a  sister  to  me." 

Again  the  captain  laughed.  Jacquetta  turned  to  Dis- 
browe,  with  a  look  that  plainly  said  she  feared  his  brain 
was  wandering.  The  captain  saw  it,  and  read  its  mean- 
ing. 

"  No,  I  am  not  insane,  Lelia.  I  know  what  I  am  saying. 
Lelia,  Norma  Macdonald  is  your  half-sister  !  " 

«  Father ! " 

"  It  is  true.  Listen  :  you  know  Avhen  you  were  a  little 
child,  your  mother  eloped,  througli  the  machinations  of 
that  accursed  hag.  Grizzle  Howlett?" 

«  Yes." 

"  Lelia,  it  was  with  Randall  Macdonald — her  father ! 
You  both  had  the  same  mother !  " 

Jacquetta  and  Disbrowe  were  dumb  with  surprise. 

"  Ask  this  man — her  father — if  it  is  not  true  ;  and  let 
him  deny  it  if  he  dare.  Lelia,  you  and  Norma  Macdonald 
are  sisters ! " 

"  I  felt  it — I  knew  it.  I  was  sure  we  were  not  stran- 
gers !  "  said  Jacquetta,  in  a  low,  breathless  voice. 

"  Thi«  is  most  wonderful !  "  exclaimed  Disbrowe.  "  1 
know,  now,  why  Mr.  Macdonald  would  never  speak  of 
Norma's  mother.  But  to  think  that  she  and  Jacquetta 
should  be  sisters  !     I  wonder  what  Austrey  will  say  ?  " 

"  Where  is  your  little  daughter,  Lelia — where  is  Orrie  ?  " 
asked  the  captain,  after  a  pause. 

"  Here,  in  London ;  but  not  in  the  house  at  present. 
Would  you  like  to  see  her  ?  " 

"  Yes ;  I  always  liked  the  little  one,  somehow.  How 
came  she  here  ?  " 

"  Mr.  De  Vere  brought  her." 

"  Mr.  De  Vere,  of  Fontelle  ?    Is  he  here,  too  ?  " 

"  Yes,  he  and  his  daughter." 

"  Ha  I  his  daughter  !  By  the  way,  that  reminds  me  I 
have  something  to  say  about  that  daughter.  '  Thereby 
hangs  a  tale.'  She  has  appeared  in  trouble  lately — has 
she  not  ?  " 

"  Trouble ! "  exclaimed  Jacquetta,  "  she  has  been  like  a 
galvanized  corpse  for  the  last  two  years — dead  in  life  1 " 


>i«l 


354 


THE  D.\'«5.K  SECRET. 


"  Ah  !  just  60 1     Well  I  know  the  cause." 

"  You !  "  exclaiixifi  iJisbrowe. 

"  Yes,  me ;  and  I  can  minister  to  a  mind  diseaFed,  too. 
Bo  you  know  tbp  cause,  my  lord  ?  " 

u  Yes." 

**  Then  she  thinks  she  has  married  her  brother,  does 
she  not?" 

Jacquetta  uttered  an  exclamation  of  horror. 

"  Yes." 

"  Well,  she  may  set  her  mind  at  rest,  then ;  she  has 
done  nothing  of  the  kind." 

«  What ! " 

"  It  is  true.  I  have  it  from  Till — old  Till,  you  know. 
Grizzle's  brother — and  he  ought  to  know,  if  any  one 
does." 

"  Thank  Heaven !  Poor,  unhappy  Augusta !  But  are 
you  sure.  Captain  Tempest  ?  " 

"  Certain !  Old  Till  will  confirm  the  story,  if  you  only 
threaten  him  with  a  little  hanging !  " 

"  Where  is  he  to  be  found  ?  " 

«  At  the  *  Sailor's  Rest',  St.  Giles.  You'll  have  no 
trouble  in  finding  him.  You  see,  old  Grizzle  knew  about 
the  marriage,  and  trumped  up  the  whole  story  to  frighten 
the  young  lady,  and  save  herself." 

"  Well,  but  Augusta's  husband  himself  acknowledged 
its  truth." 

"  And  he  thinks  it  is  true.  You  see,  my  lord,  there 
were  a  number  of  other  little  urchins  taken  prisoner 
with  the  little  De  Vere  at  the  same  time — some  of  whom 
died,  some  were  sent  to  another  tribe,  and  some  were 
kept.  Young  De  Vere  died  a  short  time  after  being 
taken  captive  ;  but  he  was  always  a  sickly  little  codger, 
Till  says." 

"  Then  she  really  married  one  of  those  captives  ?  " 

"  Yes  ;  but  no  relation  of  hers.  His  real  name  is  Du- 
rand — Mark  Durand ;  and  he  escaped  just  as  Grizzle  re- 
lated. The  young  lady  is  all  right,  so  far  as  marrying  her 
brother  is  concerned.  Find  out  Till,  and  he  will  tell  you 
so,  if  you  only  frighten  him  properly." 

"  Heaven  be  praised  for  this !    It  will  be  new  life  to 


■i 


< 


''ALI.  THINGS  HATH  AN  END." 


355 


tiere 
3ner 
om 
ere 
ing 
ger, 


iDu- 

re- 
her 
you 


Ee  to 


i 


Augusta.     Captiiin   Tempest,  what  a  debt  of  gratitude 
he  will  owe  to  you  ! " 

"  To  me  ?  Nonsense !  Give  me  a  drink,  Lelia — I  am 
parched." 

She  held  a  drink  to  his  lips,  and  he  drank  eagerly. 
He  had  spoken  so  rapidly  that  he  had  exhausted  himself, 
and  already  be  was  beginning  to  sink. 

"And  Augusta  was  married?"  said  Jacquetta,  in  a  low 
voice  to  Disbrowe. 

"  Yes ;  that  was  her  secret.  He  was  poor,  and  they 
were  married  in  private.  Grizzle  told  her  that  morning, 
you  remember,  he  was  her  brother,  and  she  believed 
her." 

"  Poor  Augusta  !  Where  is  her — her  husband  now,  I 
wonder  ?  " 

"  I  do  not  know.  Can  you  tell  us,  Captain  Tempest, 
where  this  jVfark  Durand  is  now  ?  " 

"I  saw  him  In  Paris  three  weeks  ago;  most  probably 
you  will  find  him  there  yet." 

"  How  strangely  all  these  things  have  come  to  light  1 
How  mysterious  are  the  ways  of  Providence !  Oh, 
father!  if  you  had  only  told  this  long  agx:>,  how  much 
misery  it  might  have  saved  !  " 

"  I  did  not  know  it  long  ago  myself  ;  though,  if  I  had," 
said  Captain  Nick,  in  pai'entlieses,  "  it  would  have  been 
all  the  same,  most  likely.  I  knew  Grizzle  had  some 
power  over  Miss  De  Vere ;  but  what  it  was  I  didn't 
know  until  old  Till,  who  came  this  voyage  with  me,  bab- 
bled in  his  cups,  and  let  the  murder  out.  He'll  confirm  it, 
you'll  see,  for  he's  as  ^*rrant  a  coward  as  ever  lived.  I 
never  had  a  particular  love  for  the  De  Veres,  and  might 
have  kept  the  secret  still,  if  I  had  not  been  hipped  to 
death  in  this  fashion.  However,  better  late  than  never 
— eh,  Lelia  ?  And  so  you  are  going  to  be  a  countess,  my 
girl,  though  you  are  old  Nick  Tempest's  daughter  ? " 

"  Dear  father,  do  not  think  of  these  things,  now.  Do 
tiy  and  compose  your  mind  for  the  dread  hereafter  you 
are  hastening  to.  Remember  how  short  are  the  hours 
you  have  to  live." 

"  The  last  act  of  the  drama — isn't  it,  Lelia  ?  As  for 
composing  my  mind,  what  good  will  that  do  ?     You  don't 


I 


356 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


suppose  I  expect  to  go  to  heaven — do  you?  No,  as  I 
have  lived,  I  will  die ;  so  say  no  more  about  it.  Have  you 
sent  for  your  sister,  Lelia  ?  " 

"  Yes,  father  ;  she  will  be  here  directly." 

"  And  you — you  will  not  leave  me,  Lelia,  to  the  last — 
will  you  ?  " 

"No,  father." 

"  Ah !  I  am  glad  you  can  say  father  ;  I  like  to  hear  it 
from  you  Hps  Do  you  know  you  look  strangely  like 
yourmotlu:  (lay,  Lelia?  There  is  the  same  look  in 
your  eyes  i  ■■  ■  if  ten  seen  in  hers.  My  poor  lost  Lelia  I 
buried  in  the  wddt  "•\.  Oh,  that  accursed  wretch,  Griz- 
zle Howlet ! " 

"  Do  not  think  of  her — do  not  speak  of  her.  Here, 
drink  this." 

It  contained  a  narcotic,  and  gradually  hf  fell  into  a 
troubled,  feverish  slumber.  Still  he  held  Jacquetta's 
hand,  as  though,  even  in  sleep,  he  feared  to  lose  her,  and 
at  intervals  murmured,  brokenly,  the  name  of  Lelia. 

Disbrowe,  in  obedience  to  a  whisper  from  Jacquetta, 
left  the  room  in  search  of  Augusta.  He  found  her  in  her 
room,  lying  on  a  couch,  still  weak  and  faint  from  the 
effects  of  her  recent  fright. 

As  gently  and  tenderly  as  might  be,  he  unfolded  the 
truth  ;  but  before  he  had  finished  speaking  she  lay  with- 
out life  or  motion  on  the  floor,  where  she  had  sunk  like  a 
snow-wreath.  Shocks  of  joy  seldom  kill,  however  ;  and 
he  was  too  accustomed  to  see  Augusta  faint  to  be  much 
alarmed  by  it  now ;  so,  bathing  her  temples  and  chafing 
her  hands,  he  waited  until  she  had  recovered  again. 

"  What  is  it — what  have  you  told  me  ?  "  she  cried, 
clinging  wildly  to  him. 

"Good  news,  my  dear  Augusta;  you  may  be  happy 
once  more." 

"  And  h^:  is  not — " 

"  Certa'nly  not.  You  have  been  imposed  upon  from 
first  to  last  by  our  fair  friend,  Madame  Howlet.  Cheer 
up,  Augusta !     Let  me  see  you  smile  once  more." 

"I  have  almost  forgotten  the  way.  But,  oh  Cousin 
Alfred  I  if  there  should  be  some  mistake ;  if  the  man — " 

"  This  man  is  dying,  Augusta,  and  in  his  sober  senses ; 


*'ALIy  THINGS  HATH  AN  END." 


357 


the 
ith- 
Ike  a 
and 
Luch 
ffing 

ried, 

my 


Jrom 
Iheer 

lusin 

ises; 


BO  there  can  be  none.  To  make  '  assurance  doubly  sure,' 
however,  I  have  sent  my  servant  and  a  IJow-street  rvpuer 
m  search  of  old  Grizzle's  brother,  who  knows  the  ^^  .ole 
jiffair ;  so,  in  a  short  time,  his  testimony  will  coi  mce 
yon.  Your  husband  is  in  Paris,  and  I  will  telegraph  im- 
mediately to  the  Minister  of  Police,  whom  I  know,  to 
find  him  for  us,  and  send  him  hero ;  so,  my  dearest  cousin, 
we  will  soon  see  our  stately  *  Lady  Augusta'  smiling  and 
happy  once  more." 

lie  smiled  brightly  himself  as  he  spoke ;  but  Augusta 
dropped  her  head  on  his  shoulder,  and  burst  into  tears. 

"  I  will  leave  you  alone,"  he  saic^  G:ently.  "  When  this 
man  comes,  I  will  send  for  you." 

As  he  passed  from  the  room,  h^  n  Norma  ascending 
the  stairs. 

"  Has  anything  happened  ?  i  ^'  sent  for  me  ?  "  she 
said,  with  a  startled  look.     "  Jacquetta — " 

"Is  quite  well ;  but  an  imp  ?>.o  matter  has  come  to 
light,  in  which  you  are  closely  concerned,  Perhaps  I  had 
better  tell  you  before  you  go  in.  Captain  Tempest  is 
dying  in  the  next  room,  and  it  was  he  desired  to  see 
you." 

"  Captain  Tempest !     Oh,  my  lord !  does  he  know — " 

"No,  he  does  not  know  your  secret.  But  my  dear 
Norma,  what  will  you  say  when  I  tell  you  that  you  and 
Jacquetta  are  sisters  ?  " 

"  Sisters  !     How  ?    What  do  you  mean,  my  lord  ?  " 

"  That  you  had  the  same  mother — Captain  Tempest's 
wife.     Do  you  know  your  mother's  name.  Norma  ?  " 

"  It  was  Lelia.  I  do  not  remember  her ;  but  I  saw  it 
written  in  one  of  her  books.  But,  oh.  Lord  Earnecliffe  ! 
what  have  you  told  me  ?     Captain  Tempest's  wife !  " 

"  Your  father  was  never  married,  Norma ;  and  now  you 
know  why  he  would  never  speak  of  your  mother.  You 
and  Jacquetta  are  sisters.  A  dying  man  affirms  it.  Do 
you  doubt  it,  Norma  ?  " 

She  covered  her  face  with  her  hands  for  a  moment ; 
and  when  she  took  them   away  she  was  deathly  pale. 

"  No,  my  lord,  'ange  as  it  seems,  I  yet  do  not  doubt 
it.  And  this  is  v  he  wanted  to  see  me  ?  Oh,  Alfred  1 
I  am  glad — I  an        d  that  I  am  Jacquetta's  sister ! " 


'1 


i'U 


358 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


"  And  so  am  I.     Shall  we  go  in  now  V  " 

They  entered  together.  Captain  Niek  Btill  slept,  but 
even  tho  slight  noise  of  their  entrance  aroused  him; and 
as  his  ey(5s  fell  on  Norma,  he  uttered  a  faint  exclamation. 

"  Ah !  you  have  come  I  Come  clos§  and  let  me  look  at 
you.  Yes,  yes ;  you  are  Lelia's  daughter.  You  look 
]nore  like  your  dead  mother  than  she  does.  Are  you 
willing  to  acknowledge  Nick  Tempest's  child  as  your 
bister,  young  lady  ?  " 

"  Willingly,  joyfully  !  " 

And  the  fervent  clasp  in  which  she  held  Jacquetta 
told  liow  truly  she  spoke. 

"  Tell  your  father — tell  Randall  Macdonald — I  forgave 
hi  in  at  last.  lie  was  not  so  nmch  to  blame  as  the  she- 
devil  who  forced  them  both  to  it.  Will  you  shake  hands, 
young  lady,  for  your  mother's  sake  ?  " 

She  laid  both  her  white,  delicate  hands  in  his  large, 
brown  palms,  and  a  bright  tear  fell  with  them. 

"For  me!"  he  said,  with  a  look  of  wonder.  "Ho! 
what  noise  is  that?    I  ought  to  know  that  step." 

A  shuffling  sound  of  feet  was  heard  without.  Dis- 
browe  threw  open  the  door,  and  old  Till,  in  charge  of  a 
policeman,  stalked  doggedly  in. 

"  Hallo,  old  comrade !  "  said  the  captain.  "  Well  met ! 
You  did  not  expect,  when  we  parted  this  morning,  to 
find  me  on  the  road  to  Davy's  locker  so  soon.  Where's 
the  lady,  Lelia  ?  " 

Even  as  she  spoke,  Disbrowe  entered  with  Augusta 
hanging,  pale  and  trembling,  on  his  arm. 

"  She  is  here.  Now,  my  man,  what  is  it  you  know  con- 
cerning this  young  lady  ?  "  said  Disbrowe. 

"  Y^ou  may  m  well  make  a  clean  breast  of  it  Till,  for  I 
have  told  already,"  said  the  captain.      "  Out  Avith  it  1 " 

Still  Till  scowled  at  them  in  dogged  silence  from  under 
his  villainous  brows. 

"  Tell,  and  you  shall  go  free  and  unharmed — I  pledge 
you  my  word  and-honor.  Refuse,  and  the  walls  of  New- 
gate will  hold  you  before  an  hour." 

Old  Till  was,  as  Captain  Nick  said,  a  very  white-livered 
hero,  so  he  forthwith — rather  sullenly,  though — began  the 
recital,  adding  that  the  father  of  young  Durand  was  still 


''ALL  THINGS  HATH  AN  END." 


359 


I  a 


[■ed 
the 
[till 


alive,  one  of  the  wealthiest  and  nio»t  eniuienb  lawyera  in 
New  York.  And  having  niade  a  deposition  to  that 
effect^  and  fnrther  informed  tueni  that  he  niiglit  he 
known  hy  a  pt^cnliar  tattooing  in  India  ink  on  his  arm, 
done  when  he  was  a  child,  he  was  allowed  to  take  his 
departure. 

Captain  Nick  was  sinking  fast.  He  had  exerted  him- 
self to  speak  and  listen  while  Till  was  present ;  but  now 
he  fell  baek  exhausted  on  his  pillow,  a  cold  perspiration 
oozing  over  his  face,  a  dark  livid  ring  encircling  his 
mouth.  His  eyes  wandered  slowly  over  the  faces  gath- 
ered round  him,  and  rested  at  last  on  that  of  Jac(iuetta. 

" Going  1"  he  said  with  a  fahit  smile.  "It  is  getting 
dark  and  cold,  Lelia.  Don't  cry  so.  I  will  bring  you 
no  more  squirrels  to  play  with,  as  I  usetl  to  do  long  ago 
— you  were  a  child  then,  Lelia ;  now  you  are — " 

"  Father,  father  I  "  cried  Jiiequetta,  tluough  her  fast- 
falling  tears,  as  the  liand  she  held  grew  cold,  and  a  dull 
glaze  crept  over  his  eyes. 

"  My  little  Lelia  !  " 

A  stiong  shudder  passed  through  his  powerful  frame, 
one  arm  was  half-raised,  and  then  dropi^ed  heavily  by 
his  side. 

"  Gone  !  "  said  Disbrowe,  as  he  bent  over  him.  "  Come, 
Jacquetta,  let  us  go ;  all  is  over  now  l" 

And  now,  reader — my  dear  reader — draw  a  long  breath 
of  relief,  as  I  do,  for  our  tale  is  at  an  end.  Perhaps, 
though,  you  would  like  one  final  peep  behind  the 
scene  before  the  curtain  descends  to  rise  no  more.  If  so 
it  must  be  a  very  birdVeye  view,  and  very  swiftly  taken. 

Look,  then  1  One  year  has  passed  since  tlie  last  act. 
And  now  the  time  is  night ;  tiae  scene,  Disbrowe  Park. 
It  is  more  like  a  glimpse  of  fairy  Ituid  than  ever,  this 
lovely  night ;  for  the  whole  stately  mansion  is  one  vast 
sheet  of  light.  The  beautiful  fountains  are  sending  vast 
jets  of  silver  sparkling  up  in  the  serene  moonlight,  and 
the  trees  are  bright  with  the  many -colored  lamps,  that 
twinkle  like  myriads  of  fire-Hies,  and  give  the  whole 
scene  an  air  of  enchantment.  The  laurel  walk  is  one 
blaze  of  illumination,  and  sweet  delicious  strains  of  .  kusic 
rise,  and  fall,  and  float  on  the  still  night  air.     Carriage 


'I 


360 


THE  DARK  SECRET. 


after  carriago  rolls  up  the  broad  avenue,  and  throngs  of 
inagnlticently-dressed  hulies  and  stately  gentlemen  j)ass 
into  the  niarhle  hall.  Lady  Earnecliffe  has  just  returned 
from  the  "  land  of  the  free  and  the  home  of  the  brave  ;" 
has  been  present(Hl  at  court ;  made  a  decided  sensation ; 
and  to-night  gives  her  first  ball. 

See  her  there  in  white  velvet,  frosted  with  seed-pearls, 
sparkling  with  jewels,  and  floating  in  lllmy  point-lace — the 
most  bewitching,  the  most  dazzling  countess  in  the  peer- 
age— receiving  her  guests.  And  yet  she  is  our  own  Jac- 
quetta  after  all — the  same  sparkling  little  fairy  as  of 
yore.  The  short,  danciiig  curls  are  of  the  old  obnoxious 
hue;  but  a  coronet  becomes  them  wonderfully.  The 
wicked  gray  eyes  sparkle  still  with  the  old  mocking 
light  that  was  wont  to  madden  a  certain  Captain  Dis- 
browe,  and  the  little  rosebud  mouth  is  wreathed  with 
the  same  entrancing  smile  that  once  drove  the  dashing 
guardsman  to  the  verge  of  despair.  And  there  she  stands, 
as  bright  and  self-possessed,  receiving  her  titled  guests  in 
her  husband's  superb  drawing-rooms,  as  when  she  stood, 
cool  and  defiant,  before  him,  that  morning  when  he  met 
her  first  at  old  Fon telle. 

He  is  there,  too — the  Earl  of  Earnecliffe — handsome, 
graceful,  and  elegant  as  ever,  watching  her  with  a  curious 
smile,  as  he  thinks  of  the  past.  A  happy  man  is  Earl 
Earnecliffe — as  indeed  he  ought  to  be,  with  such  a  rent- 
roll  and  such  a  wife. 

There  is  Lord  George  and  Lady  Austrey — the  for- 
mer, languid,  nonchalant,  and  complacent  as  he  strokes 
his  mustache ;  the  latter,  one  of  the  belles  of  the  room, 
and  so  proud  and  so  fond  of  her  handsome  young  hus- 
band, and  a  powerful-lunged  young  scion  of  the  aristoc- 
racy at  home — who,  of  late,  has  made  his  debut  into  this 
vale  of  tears.  And  Lord  George  is  so  proud  of  that  baby, 
though  the  feeling  is  mingled  with  a  sort  of  deep  awe, 
more  particularly  ^vhen  it  cries,  which  it  sees  fit  to  do 
pretty  often ;  but  no  inducement  can  persuade  him  to 
handle  it,  "  not  being  nsed  to  that  sort  of  thing,"  as  he 
informs  its  nurse. 

Our  dark-eyed  friend,  Orrie,  is  at  school,  and  has  a 
strong  notion  of  growing  up  shortly,  and  marrying  Frank. 


"  ALL  THINGS  HATH  AN  END." 


36 


do 

to 

Ihe 


That  young  gentleman  still  writ(\s  U.  S.  N.  after  hn 
name,  .and  is  pretty  much  of  the  hame  notion  himself  ; 
«o  it  is  very  prohahlc^  Miss  Orrie  will  he  Mrs.  Francis  Do 
Vere  some  day,  in  the  "  fulness  of  tiniv'^." 

It  is  a  long  step  to  New  Jersi^y  ;  l)'it  you  and  I,  v  ith 
our  seven-league  hoots,  can  take  it.  At  Fontelle  still 
lives  Mr.  De  Vere,  happy  in  the  happiness  of  his  daughter 
and  new-found  son.  And  jNIrs.  Durand — how  strange  it 
seems  to  call  Augusta  that ! — is  as  happy  as  the  day  is 
long;  and  feels  it  all  the  more  after  the  liery  crucihlo 
through  which  she  has  passed. 

Our  old  and  estimahle  friend,  (irizzle  llowlet,  having 
with  her  two  sons,  connnitted  an  atrocicas  rohhery,  sud- 
denly found  the  old  iini  too  hot  to  hoiil  her,  and  de- 
camped for  the  far  West  with  Blaise — the  hopeful  Kit 
being  caught,  and  sentenced  to  prison  for  life,  and 
since  then  nothing  has  ever  been  heard  of  her ;  and  so 
to  both,  requiescat  hi  pace. 

As  for  Mr.  Rowlie  and  his  cheery  little  helpmeet,  they 
kept  the  "  Mermaid  "  for  many  a  day  after  that ;  and  that 
pleasant  hotel  throve  and  flourished  like  a  green  bay 
tree.  And  if  ever  you  visit  the  remote  and  facetious 
region  of  New  Jersey,  good  friends  of  mine,  just  make  a 
pilgrimage  to  its  ruins,  which  tradition  saith  are  to  be 
seen  to  this  day.    And  so,  reader,  farewell. 

THE  END, 


a 


